Vol. 503 No. 3
288 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to widen the criteria for eligibility under the disabled drivers tax concessions and VAT concessions regulations as many with disability do not qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9717/99]
As I said in reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 73 and 76 on 4 March 1999, a review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme is being undertaken by an interdepartmental group under the chairmanship of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with a view to determine what modifications, if any, might be proposed to the scheme. The existing medical criteria for qualification may be among the items examined by the group. The review has not yet been completed.
However, I should caution against raising expectations that any person who suffers from some form of disability will be admitted to the scheme following the completion of this examination. As was pointed out in the reply to the Adjournment debate held on 2 March 1999, which sought extension to one particular category, very large groups or categories have sought to be included in the scheme. According to lobbyists for the disabled, there are up to 350,000 persons in Ireland who could be regarded as disabled to some degree. In addition, this figure may not include people suffering from various heart ailments.
The cost of the scheme in 1998 was approximately £14.4 million. It is clear that the potential cost to the Exchequer of extending the scheme is substantial, especially given that the scheme is not means tested.
