Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if there is a grant for assistance with fuel for a driver who drives an unmodified car but assists with driving their disabled spouse to and from medical appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45158/23]
View answerThe Department has oversight of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) only. The scheme provides VAT and VRT reliefs as well as a fuel grant to qualifying disabled drivers and disabled passengers. Qualifying disabled drivers and disabled passengers are those that have been assessed as meeting one of six medical DDS eligibility criteria and who thus hold a Primary Medical Certificate. They must also own, or be transported by a family member/organisation and owner of the vehicle, in a qualifying vehicle. To qualify for DDS provisions, the vehicle must have a 600 cc or less engine size and it must be adapted to the needs of the disabled driver or the disabled passenger. Based on the information supplied by the Deputy the vehicle in question would not qualify for the DDS fuel grant as it has not been adapted for the person being transported.
A NDIS Transport Working Group chaired by Minister Rabbitte and led by the Department of Children. Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth recently published a final report arising from a review of mobility and transport supports including the DDS. The report considered principles that should underpin holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability.
The report also endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS, as it is no longer fit-for-purpose on any and all aspects. The report also notes that the proposals are a clear deliverable for the near future.
Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. Under the aegis of the Department of Taoiseach, officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward. Department of Finance officials are proactively engaging with this work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability.
