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Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 February 2017

Thursday, 2 February 2017

Questions (84)

John Halligan

Question:

84. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Finance the number of appeal applications in respect of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concession, in tabular form, in 2016; the number of applications that were successful at appeal stage; his views on whether the criteria laid down for this concession is fair and equitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4971/17]

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Written answers

Regulation 6(4) of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. 353 of 1994) provides that an individual who is dissatisfied with the decision of the Senior Medical Officer in relation to primary medical certification may appeal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA).

The DDMBA is a body under the aegis of my Department. The Board has provided me with the information requested, which is set out in the table. The table shows the number of appeal applications heard in 2016 and a breakdown of the number that were successful and unsuccessful.

DDMBA Appeal Applications

Numbers

Total Number of applicants assessed in 2016

360

Number of successful applicants

22

Number of unsuccessful applicants

338

 

The Scheme and qualifying criteria were designed specifically for those with severe physical disabilities and are, therefore, necessarily precise. 

The Scheme represents a significant tax expenditure. Between the Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT foregone, and the fuel grant, the scheme is estimated to have cost of the order of €65m in 2016. This figure does not include the revenue foregone to the Local Government Fund in the respect of the relief from Motor Tax provided to members of the Scheme. 

I recognise the important role that the Scheme plays in expanding the mobility of citizens with disabilities. I have managed to maintain the relief at current levels throughout the crisis despite the requirement for significant fiscal consolidation. From time to time I receive representations from individuals who feel they would benefit from the Scheme but do not qualify under the six criteria. While I have sympathy for these cases, given the scale and scope of the Scheme, I have no plans to expand the medical criteria beyond the six currently provided for in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.

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