Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:384 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the numbers availing of the disabled drivers' tax concession car scheme; and his views on whether less than 2% of the disabled are able to avail of such schemes. [21700/01]
Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.
According to the Revenue Commissioners, there are approximately 7,500 beneficiaries under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme. While definitions of disability vary, I have been informed that there are up to 360,000 in Ireland who could be regarded as disabled to some degree or other. The cost of the scheme was approximately £22 million in 2000. I expect the cost to rise this year to the region of £25 million.