Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made by his Department on the implementation of a new VRT system for disabled drivers, to enable them to purchase and modify vehicles for themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28918/24]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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This question concerns the VRT scheme for disabled drivers. As the Minister will know, this has been on hold now since 2012 or 2013 and we have been waiting for a new scheme to come into place that will meet the needs of disabled drivers. What is the updated position in this regard?

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Pringle for asking this question about the disabled and disabled passengers scheme, DDS. This scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons, as defined, who meet one of six medical criteria as a driver or as a passenger and to certain organisations. To qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a primary medical certificate issued by the relevant principal medical officer or a board medical certificate issued by the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal.

The Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the DDS is no longer fit for purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual. However, this is very much a matter across government because, while my Department has oversight of the DDS, I do not have specific responsibility for disability policy. As the Deputy is aware, the national disability and inclusion strategy, NDIS, transport working group recommended that the DDS be replaced with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme. This is in line with the general view that we need to move away from a medical criteria-based approach to a needs-based approach.

Under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward. One of the issues being examined is how the DDS can be replaced. The Department of Finance submitted a note to the group with my predecessor's approval in mid-January 2024. This outlines a proposal for a replacement scheme for the DDS, which would be a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual. It is in line with what the NDIS transport working group report. Further consideration is being given to the principles and parameters for a new scheme in line with best international practice through the establishment of another group of the Department of Taoiseach. This group will start its work shortly and is now expected to report in the autumn.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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At least the Department has changed the wording around a wee bit in this answer. Everybody who has asked a question about what is happening as regards changes to this scheme in recent years has received the same answer. At least a bit of initiative was shown to make it sound a bit different. In reality, however, basically nothing is happening. What is going to be done now is that another group is to be set up towards the end of the summer. The only chance for this Government to resolve this issue will be in the budget and we are in the run-up to the budget now. Nothing is going to happen this year, so this matter will have to wait until a new Government is in place. I know this is not the responsibility of the Minister, but this issue has been going on since 2012 or 2013 and every Minister for Finance has basically given the same answer during that time. Essentially, we can look forward to nothing happening between now and the budget. Is that what the Minister is saying?

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I accept and acknowledge that this matter has been going on for too long and too many years without an outcome and that it is impacting many people across our country. As I said, I have been informed that significant work is now ongoing on this issue, led by the Department of the Taoiseach, and we expect a report on that in the autumn. It is about giving effect to and trying to make progress from that report. While I acknowledge that the issue has been ongoing for too long and is affecting many people, what has been raised previously was whether any change to the existing scheme would address the issues. We know the current scheme is not fit for purpose in respect of any or all of the different parameters and does not meet the standards of a modern administrative model. This is why reform and bringing about a new scheme in line with international best practice, led by that group in the Department of the Taoiseach, is the way forward. As I said, we expect a report in the autumn.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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Would a new scheme in line with international best practice take 12 years to design and put in place? I do not think that is in line with any best practice anywhere along the way. If the report the Minister referred to is prepared and ready for the autumn, will this be in time for the budget and for provisions to be made for a new scheme to be in place in January 2025?

Is that what the Minister is saying or is it a matter of wait and see what happens?

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I will pursue a timeline on this. It is in the interests of my Department and the collective interests of people we represent in our constituencies to find a way forward on this. I assure the Deputy I will pursue that with the group established in the Department of the Taoiseach. The group will report in the autumn and we need to see progress on it in the aftermath of that. I take the Deputy's point that other reports and structures in the past have not delivered an outcome. It is about trying to structure something new to deliver for people who have not seen progress for many years. I will pursue that.