Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1195. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 14 of 2 June 2022, the expected timeframe for the conclusion of the review of existing transport schemes for disabled persons including the drivers and passengers with disabilities scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Transport Working Group of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) commits that a review will be conducted of existing transport schemes, and a coordinated plan will be developed to enhance the options for transport to work or employment for people with disabilities.
Following engagement from my colleague the Minister of Finance Paschal Donohoe T.D. last year, it was decided to use the Transport Working Group to assist with the review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. However, legislative and budgetary responsibility for the scheme continues to lie with the Department of Finance, in the same manner that responsibility for the parameters and delivery of all transport measures and schemes operated by members of the Review Group continue to lie with the relevant department or agency. In that sense, any decision regarding the parameters of the Disabled Drivers and Passenger Scheme is ultimately a matter for the Minister for Finance.
I chaired the most recent meeting of the Transport Working Group at the end of January 2022. The current focus of the Group's work is on scoping the provision of transport supports across government departments and public bodies, with a view to assessing gaps or anomalies in provision. Following the January meeting my Department requested information from Group members on the array of transport measures and supports currently being provided. A substantive amount of material was received which is presently analysed and a further meeting of the Group will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
