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 determining what modifications, if any, might be proposed to the current scheme. The existing medical criteria for qualification – set out in the first schedule primary medical certificate – may be among the items examined by the group. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, that the group hopes to furnish its report for consideration prior to the summer recess.
The current scheme is costly and opening it up to wider ranges of disabilities would significantly add to that cost. I caution, therefore, against an expectation that every person who suffers from some form of disability or disablement will be admitted to this scheme as a result of the deliberations of the group.