Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
409. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Finance if the rebate for the disabled drivers and passengers scheme will be increased (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43928/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
To qualify for the Scheme an applicant must be in possession of a Primary Medical Certificate. The PMC is issued by the relevant Senior Medical Officer in the HSE, or failing that an appeal may be made to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal. The Minister has no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMCs and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.
To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of six medical criteria, in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate.
The Minister gave a commitment to the House that a comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, would be undertaken.
In this context he has been working with Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. They are both agreed that the review should be brought within a wider review under the auspices of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, to examine transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities.
I believe this is the most appropriate forum to meet mutual objectives in respect of transport solutions/mobility supports for those with a disability.
The NDIS working group, chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte, with officials from both this Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well as others, held its first meeting on the 26th January 2022. A stock-taking exercise of existing transport and mobility schemes currently supporting people with disabilities is ongoing. The next meeting of the group is 6th September 2022.
The Department of Finance established an information-gathering group to capture the experiences, expertise and perspectives of former DDMBA members and Principal Medical Officers (PMOs) in the HSE. A range of outputs have been produced, providing information on the DDS scheme as inputs into the broader review.
Finance officials will continue to work closely with officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to progress the wider review and on foot of that the NDIS working group will bring forward proposals for consideration.
The Minister cannot comment on any potential changes to the scheme in advance of these proposals.
