Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2023
99. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance the disciplines and professions he believes should be required to conduct the multidisciplinary assessments for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme (details supplied); who they would be employed by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14272/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy predecessor Minister Donohoe committed to a comprehensive review of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (DDS) as part of a broader review of mobility supports. In order to achieve this objective, Minister O’Gorman agreed in September 2021 that the DDS review should be incorporated into the work of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) Transport Working Group (TWG).
The NDIS TWG was tasked, under Action 104 of the NDIS, with reviewing all Government-funded transport and mobility supports for those with a disability and for making proposals for transport and mobility solutions for such people.
The Working Group, under the Chairpersonship of Minister of State Anne Rabbitte, held a number of meetings across 2022. A draft final report was considered at its final meeting on 8th December. The report has recently been published by the Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth who led the work of the NDIS Transport Working Group..
As part of its engagement in this process, the Department of Finance established an information-gathering Criteria Sub-group (CSG) at the start of 2022. Its membership comprised of former members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) and Principal Medical Officers (PMOs) in the HSE. Its purpose was to capture their experiences, expertise and perspectives in relation to the practical operational and administrative challenges of the DDS, as well as to explore what alternative vehicular arrangements were available for those with mobility issues based on international experience. The CSG work led to the production of five papers and a technical annex, submitted to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in July 2022.
Regarding methods of assessment, the CSG found that 10 countries of 32 examined, use an assessment by an occupational therapist and/or a multidisciplinary team, for example to assess the degree of mobility impairments and/or to determine what vehicle adaptations might be required. A further 6 countries (including Ireland) assessed disability through a separate assessment by a medical professional, which could include a general practitioner. Of these, only Ireland and Australia solely use a separate medical assessment as the basis of determining eligibility.
It should be noted that the reference to "multidisciplinary assessments" in the aforementioned Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme Review (Paper 1) was made in the context of a new needs based granted aided scheme, as such an approach would not be compatible with the current structure of the DDS, and is one of the reasons why the CSG concluded it needs to be replaced.
In summary, the primary conclusion of the CSG is that the DDS needs to be replaced with a fit for purpose, needs-based and grant-aided vehicular adaptation scheme in line with best international practice.
The NDIS TWG endorses the recommendation to develop a new needs-based, grant-aided vehicular adaptation scheme. However, the final report does not set out next steps. It will be a matter for Government as to how to take this matter forward.
