Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
542. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) and outline the provisions and services available to that person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4150/17]
View answerThe Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme, which is operated by the Revenue Commissioners, is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance. To qualify for the scheme, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations Act 1994 and satisfy a range of conditions. The medical criteria for the scheme are set out by the Department of Finance. HSE personnel have no role in setting or amending the criteria.
The Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal is also under the auspices of the Minister for Finance. This Board is independent in the exercise of its functions, to ensure the integrity of its clinical determinations. On that basis, I have no role to play in the exercise of these functions.
The Deputy will be aware of the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes. I wish to assure the Deputy that detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions are being progressed by my Department. I am pleased to report that work on policy proposals in relation to all matters, including eligibility criteria, are at an advanced stage of development. Once the Government approves the draft Heads of Bill for this new Scheme, they will then be subject to pre-legislative scrutiny.
With regard to the broader issue of transport for people with disabilities, I understand, my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, has drawn up a sectoral plan, as provided for under the Disability Act 2005. This plan called Transport for All, lays out specific actions which incrementally improve accessibility of public transport for all persons with mobility, sensory or cognitive impairments. I have been informed that considerable progress has been made under this plan in improving the accessibility of public transport services, including the provision of wheelchair accessible bus and train services, the continuing grant scheme for wheelchair accessible taxis and the roll out of real time passenger information systems.
