Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 7 September 2026
428. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if any assessment has been carried out of the impact on families of disabled drivers and passengers of moving from the current disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme to a new vehicle adaptation scheme, in particular the impact on the ability of a family to change an adapted vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61823/26]
View answerThe Department of Transport has been tasked with developing a new Vehicle Adaptation Scheme (VAS), which will provide a needs-based, cost-reimbursement approach to supporting vehicle adaptations for people with disabilities.
This initiative forms part of the Government's broader strategy to deliver integrated transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities. The VAS is being developed as a standalone scheme and is not intended to replace the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, which remains the responsibility of the Department of Finance. The VAS is intended to support individuals who require more minor vehicle adaptations. Unlike the DDS, applicants for the VAS will not require a primary medical certificate and the new scheme will support the cost of adaptations, rather than the capital cost of a vehicle.
Over the past twelve months, the Department has made significant progress in developing the VAS. In line with the proposals set out by the Transport Working Group of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Senior Officials Group on Disability, as well as stakeholder engagement and consultation, the key principles and parameters underpinning the scheme have been established, enabling the development of a high-level operational framework.
As the next step in the process, the Department intends to undertake a public consultation to gather the views of interested parties on a range of issues, including the potential impact of the proposed scheme. The feedback received will help inform the final design and implementation of the VAS.
