Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
203. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the provision of a grant-aided, needs-based vehicular adaptation scheme to replace the disabled drivers and disabled passenger's scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30770/23]
View answerThe National Disability Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group (TWG), comprising members from a range of Departments, agencies and Disabled Persons Organisations, was tasked under Action 104 to review all Government-funded transport and mobility supports for those with a disability, including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS). The NDIS TWG final report was published on 24th February 2023 and welcomed the proposal put forward by my Department that the DDS should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-aided vehicular adaptation scheme, i.e. to provide direct financial assistance to individuals needing vehicle adaptations according to their needs, to meet their personal transport requirements and ultimately to facilitate independence and participation in society.
The NDIS TWG final report also noted both the outdated approach of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme and the fact that the scheme needed to be addressed as a matter of priority. The Working Group agreed that proposals in this regard was a clear deliverable on which work could begin in the relatively near future.
I very much welcome the Taoiseach’s recent comments that he will convene all the relevant Departments to develop meaningful proposals arising from the Working Group’s final report and my officials in the Department of Finance will engage constructively in that process.
