Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
250. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the reason registered blind persons are omitted from availing of the primary care certificate; his plans to include blind persons in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54879/23]
View answerThe final report of the NDIS Transport Working Group's review of mobility and transport supports including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS), 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 proposals note this was a clear deliverable for the near future.
The NDIS TWG was chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte and led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
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. My officials are proactively engaging with this Senior Officials Group work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS, as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader Government consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability. This includes consideration of the broad range of needs with those with a disability, including those blind persons who need an appropriate means of transport to improve functional mobility. Three meetings of the SOG have been held, in July, November and December 2023.
In that context, any further changes to the existing DDS would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme.
