Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
965. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status and outcome of the review into the disabled drivers' scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37110/23]
View answerThe issue of mobility supports for people with disabilities is a key priority for me as Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability.
In furtherance of Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, a Transport Working Group was established in 2020 by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group to formulate proposals on how transport supports could be better coordinated across the state. I chaired the work of the Transport Working Group from January 2022. The Final Report of the Group was published earlier this year and is available on my Department’s website. The Group considered the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme in the context of looking at the broader issue of transport supports for disabled people in the round. As such it was not a dedicated and specific review of that single scheme. However, the Department of Finance did convene a Criteria Sub-Group to gather information on the experiences, perspectives and expertise of those most involved with the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme to specifically inform the work of the NDIS Group.
The recommendations of the NDIS Working Group are under active consideration across departments and agencies with responsibility for the wide range of current and historic transport supports for persons with disabilities. The Department of the Taoiseach has convened a Senior Officials Group (SOG) to discuss how the proposals of the NDIS TWG final report can be progressed. A first meeting was held on 3 July 2023. My officials are engaging and actively contributing to discussions on this matter. However, it will be a matter for the SOG and for Government to determine any time lines or next steps as may be decided.
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passenger Scheme, specifically, is the responsibility of the Department of Finance, and it is administered by the Revenue Commissioners. Any questions on the specific operation of that Scheme are therefore best addressed to my colleagues.
