Mark Ward
Question:237. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Finance if he has received the letter from a person (details supplied); his views on the letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32622/23]
View answerTuesday, 4 July 2023
Questions (237)
Written answers
The Deputy should note at the outset that I have received the letter in question.
It is also important to be aware that I am very conscious of the limitations of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) as was my immediate predecessor.
Consequently, the 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 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The NDIS TWG final report also noted both the outdated approach of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme and the fact that the scheme needed to be addressed as a matter of priority.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.
You should also be aware that the Taoiseach’s recently indicated that he would convene all the relevant Departments to develop meaningful proposals arising from the NDIS Working Group’s final report. The first meeting of this group was held on 3 July 2023.