Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 3

Written Answers. - Disabled Driver's Scheme.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

99 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons availing of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme for each of the years from 1968 to 1999; the cost of the scheme for each of the years 1968 to 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme has evolved considerably since its inception in 1968. When the scheme was first introduced it provided only for exemption from road tax. Thereafter it was gradually extended to include repayment of excise duty on fuel, motor vehicle excise duty, VAT in 1972, and vehicle registration tax, which replaced motor vehicle excise duty, in 1993. At various times, conditions such as the need for vehicle adaptation have been modified. Prior to 1994, the various reliefs were administered by different areas within the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and I am advised that, for this reason, the information requested by the Deputy is readily available only for the years from 1994 onwards. The information is as follows:

Year

Drivers

Passengers

Amounts Repaid

Total Repaid

	(No.)	(No.)	(Vehicles)	(Fuel)

1994	764	153	£4.1m	£1.0m	£5.1m
1995	989	308	£5.9m	£1.0m	£6.9m
1996	1,096	598	£7.8m	£1.1m	£8.9m
1997	1,261	855	£10.3m	£1.5m	£11.8m
1998	1,390	1,052	£12.7m	£1.7m	£14.4m
1999	1,362	1,359	£15.5m	£1.9m	£17.4m

The figures shown above relate to claims for new and replacement vehicles paid in each of the years in question. In this regard, qualifying disabled persons may claim in respect of the purchase of a vehicle every two years. It is estimated that some 5,400 persons are actively participating in the scheme.

It is estimated that the scheme will cost approximately £20 million this year. It should be noted that the above figures do not include the cost of exemption from road tax which, according to estimates by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, would have been of the order of £2 million for 1999.