Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2023
88. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the current status of the final report of the national disability inclusion strategy transport working group recommendation which indicated that the current disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme was outdated and should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-aided vehicular adaptation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51471/23]
View answer106. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance how many people in Cork qualify for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51366/23]
View answer119. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Finance if he will comment on a review into the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51597/23]
View answer120. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Finance if he plans any changes to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. [51365/23]
View answerThe Department of Finance's submission on addressing the appalling failure of the State to support mobility for people with a disability has pointed out that the only active scheme is outdated and needs to be replaced. We heard the same story a decade ago on the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance. When are we going to actually see some action in this area?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 106, 119 and 120 together.
The national disability inclusion strategy transport working group, NDIS TWG, comprising members from a range of Departments, agencies and disabled persons' organisations, was tasked to review all Government-funded transport and mobility supports for those with a disability, including the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme, DDS. Officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth led the work of the group.
The final report was published on 24 February 2023, and welcomed the proposal put forward by the Department of Finance and the criteria subgroup that the disabled drivers scheme be replaced with a needs-based, grant-aided vehicular adaptation system and indicated that the proposal was a clear deliverable on which work could begin in the relatively near future.
The final report also notes in its conclusion that the disabled drivers scheme is outdated and that the scheme needs to be addressed as a matter of priority. However, the final report does not set out next steps. It will be a matter for the Government as to how to take this matter forward. I will address that now.
Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Departments and agencies. Under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the report and to map a way forward.
Department of Finance officials are proactively engaging with the work of the senior officials group as an important step in examining ways to replace the disabled drivers scheme, as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader Government consideration of integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability. Two meetings have been held so far, the first in July and the second more recently at the beginning of November. Officials from the Department of the Taoiseach are currently considering material supplied after these meetings. Any further changes to the existing scheme will be considered in that context.
The reality is that people with a disability are being marooned in their own homes because of the lack of supports. The sad reality is that disabled people are only half as likely to be in employment because of their disability than someone who has full mobility. Furthermore, only 15% of women with a disability are in full-time employment. This is despite a huge staffing shortage right across the economy. They are damning figures. As the Minister is aware, the recommendation states that a needs-based, grant-aided vehicular adaptation scheme must be introduced. What does this mean in reality and when will we actually see it?
In recent years, difficulties have been experienced with the disabled drivers scheme and the primary medical cert, in particular on the appeals side for the latter. There were a number of resignations from the appeals board, as the medics involved said the scheme was too restrictive. Urgency is needed on the part of the Government. As Chair of the Oireachtas disability committee, we hear from people week in and week out who experience difficulties in getting the primary cert or appealing it. I just do not feel the Departments are dealing with the matter as urgently as possible. I heard the Minister comment about a meeting in November. We would appreciate if this could be dealt with as a matter of the utmost urgency because people with disabilities need a scheme to ensure that there is a plan to have them mobile and able to participate in society. Whether in work or social care we must ensure that they are participating to the fullest extent possible.
People born with physical disabilities often endure a multitude of health challenges. The amendment the scheme requires would greatly assist families in improving access to transportation for the many doctor and hospital visits required by those with disabilities and, as previously mentioned, would give necessary access to employment.
The current criteria for obtaining the primary medical certificate have been referred to, even by the Minister, as archaic and arduous for families who are already juggling so much. They have been waiting for far too long as it is.
I have raised the matter of the disabled drivers and passengers scheme with the Minister and the Taoiseach. I pointed to the fact that it needs to be amended to reflect that carers are not always blood relatives of those they care for, as is often the case in rural Ireland.
I thank the Deputies. As well as being a Minister in a Government, I am a practising TD and deal with individual cases all the time. That has helped me to reach the conclusion that the existing scheme is not the best way to address the needs of persons with a disability, whether they are drivers or passengers. It is a tax-based scheme. The gateway criterion entails eligibility for the primary medical certificate. We are all aware of the details of that. A new scheme is needed but it should be based on the needs of the person concerned and be grant based. There is work under way across the Government. The key Departments are working on this and the work is being co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach. That is to bring a focus and urgency to the issue. In the meantime, my officials and the Revenue Commissioners will continue to ensure the existing scheme operates. We have worked hard to get the appeals board back up and running and we anticipate that it will recommence hearing appeals in the first half of December. That is welcome because there is a backlog, with over 1,100 appeal cases waiting to be heard. The board, in itself, is not the solution to the issue because the success rate regarding appeals is very low given the nature of the eligibility criteria, which are so defined and not based on individual need. We will continue to play our part in my Department, but it does require all other relevant Departments working together on the process that is under way to have a new scheme agreed.
Three short supplementary questions are allowed.
On a broadcast on Midlands 103 last week, there was a young man who is without his arm, without a limb. The motorised transport grant is closed to him, as is the mobility allowance, and he is not disabled enough to get the primary medical certificate and apply to participate in the disabled drivers scheme. Therefore, we need a scheme that allows people to engage with society and access employment.
I welcome the senior officials group but what we need is ministerial leadership, either through a Cabinet subcommittee on this issue or a task force led by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who I know is personally committed to this.
On the appeals commencing in December, there is a backlog of 1,100. At what rate will they be heard? I ask the Minister to ensure additional resources are provided insofar as possible in order that as many appeals as possible may be heard in the short term.
I thank the Minister for letting us know about the appeals board getting back up and running but, as he has said, the success rate at that level is very low. The answer is to make the necessary amendments and have the scheme up and running as soon as possible because the reality, as outlined by the Minister based on his having met people in the circumstances in question, is that they are absolutely isolated. That is a huge concern.
I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I believe they will acknowledge it is not a competence of the Department of Finance to define who should be eligible for transport supports and mobility supports arising from disability. We are continuing to administer the existing scheme and will do so until it is replaced. I have shown willingness to respond to events that have arisen and individual cases that have highlighted gaps in the existing scheme. Colleagues will be familiar with Leigh Gath and the change we made to ensure she and others in a similar situation got the support they needed under the existing scheme.
I will ensure the appeals board is given the resources it needs to hear cases as quickly as possible but I must reiterate it is not the ultimate solution. Owing to the nature of the criteria, the success rate is in the low single digits in percentage terms. Therefore, we do need a new scheme. We will play our part because we have gathered at Revenue level and in my Department considerable experience in the administration of the existing scheme. There is a lot of knowledge and experience that can be used in the development of a new scheme, and the Department is actively involved in supporting that work.
I apologise sincerely to the House as I miscalculated the timings in order that we could reach the 12 o’clock cut-off.
It is not the Chair’s fault but it is not the first time that we have been left in this silly situation in which we deny Members debating time in the House and must then suspend the House for five minutes until we actually proceed to Leader’s Questions. It is just not good enough that this happens so frequently.
I entirely agree with the Deputy. I will allow a further supplementary question from each Member in the grouping.
I welcome the appeals process concerning the primary medical certificate. That is a positive development but we all know the current system is just not fit for purpose. The reality is that the two grants that were beneficial to people – the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance – have been suspended for ten years. What we need is the comprehensive and swift implementation of the recommendations of the report.
I thank the Minister for the response on resources for the appeals process to ensure as many appeals as possible may be heard. He mentioned the competence in the Department of Finance and the change under the Department responsible for disabilities to ensure the new scheme, whenever it will be tailored, will meet the needs we hear about weekly at meetings of the disability matters committee. There is a need for the scheme and it is important to have it up and running as soon as possible and practicable.
I will come back on the case I have encountered in Clare. The Minister has advised that amendments have been possible in particular cases. I am not sure if it is the Minister for Finance who is able to ensure these. The individual in the case in question, who lives out as far as west Clare, has a full-time carer who lives in the home, but that carer is not blood related so they cannot avail of the disabled drivers and passengers scheme. West Clare entails a huge distance and there are no taxis or anything like that. Considering the surgery the individual has to have, he will not be able to use a normal vehicle to get around. Must I raise this with the Minister, or could he advise me where I might seek to have an amendment made?
I thank all the Deputies. We should acknowledge that many are benefiting from the existing scheme. I had the figures to hand during Committee Stage of the Finance Bill. Between the VRT, the tax, and the fuel grant, the figure for this year was in the order of €70 million to €80 million. Therefore, many are benefiting from the scheme. It is working well for them. However, there are many people who do not meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme as it stands. Therefore, the focus of the Government is now on implementation. We have a working group report and, with the leadership of the Department of the Taoiseach in pulling together all the various Departments that have a contribution to make, we will make progress on this issue. It is a priority for the Government. We are treating it as an urgent issue because we accept the current scheme is not optimal.
