Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group, led by officials in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, published its Final Report in February 2023. The Report noted the outdated approach of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme and that the Scheme needed to be addressed.
Under the auspices of a Senior Officials Group in the Department of the Taoiseach, an ad hoc sub-Working Group of the Senior Officials Group was established to consider the replacement of the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme with alternative vehicular adaptation schemes which would meet adaptation needs, rather than the current limiting medical criteria.
The Working Group, active between July and November 2024, made its recommendations. The outputs of the group are informing policy discussions and developments, including deliberations of the Cabinet Committee on Disability and developments under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.
As outlined in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People, a new vehicle adaptation scheme is to be developed to assist with the cost of adapting a vehicle. The Department of Transport has been tasked with developing this scheme. Work on the scheme is now underway.
The existing Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme remains with the Department of Finance and is being reviewed in the context of new scheme developments by the Department of Transport.
