Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
152. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the current status of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme; when the disabled drivers medical board of sppeal will recommence hearings; the number of appeals and request for appeal hearings that have been lodged since November 2021 and his response to the recent annual report of the Ombudsman with respect to same. [43137/23]
View answerProgress has been made on efforts to convene a new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA), to secure new hosting arrangements for the DDMBA and to recommence the appeals process.
I have now formally appointed all five members to the new DDMBA. Funding arrangements between the Department of Finance and the Department of Health have been agreed. On this basis the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) has confirmed that they will again host the DDMBA. Preparatory work is underway, that will include due deliberation on how best to clear the backlog. The appeals process will re-commence upon completion of this work. In parallel, my officials are working with the NRH to conclude other conditions for new hosting arrangements, which may continue after the appeals process is again up and running.
I appreciate that it has taken far longer than anticipated to get to this point. With the Department of Health we have had to run four Expression of Interest campaigns over 18 months to source the legislatively required five members. We have also had to re-negotiate new hosting arrangements with the NRH following their withdrawal of services in February 2023.
As of end August 2023 (latest data available) there were 1,079 appeals outstanding.
With respect to my response to the recent annual report of the Ombudsman and his comments that progress in the general area of access to personal transport schemes for people living with a disability has stalled, I would like to say the following.
My Department has oversight of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme only. Through the Criteria Sub-Group established by my Department, it has done comprehensive work in highlighting the fact that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) is no longer fit for purpose. This work, including the paper referenced in the Ombudsman's report, was provided as one set of unpublished inputs into the NDIS Transport Working Group's review of transport and mobility supports for those with a disability including the DDS, chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte. The final report of the group agreed the Scheme needed to be addressed as a matter of priority. The TWG welcomed the proposal by my Department to replace the DDS with a new vehicular adaptation scheme, as a clear deliverable for the near future.
In relation to the work of replacing the DDS, the Deputy should note that officials from relevant Departments and agencies under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward. My officials are proactively engaging with this work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS in the context of broader consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability.
Finally, it is important to be aware that the Government is committed to providing services for people with disabilities, which will empower them to live their lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.
