Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed Government approval to advance the development of a new Vehicle Adaptation Scheme (VAS), a key step in delivering a new support that will help people with mobility needs access adapted vehicles and maintain independent mobility.

Minister Canney has been leading work on the development of the new scheme within the Department of Transport, which forms part of the Government’s commitment to improving transport accessibility and ensuring that people who need additional support can participate fully in society, employment, education and community life.

The Vehicle Adaptation Scheme is designed to support people who require more minor adaptations to a vehicle to enable them to enter, exit or operate it. It will provide financial support towards the cost of those adaptations and is not intended to assist with the capital cost of purchasing a vehicle.

Welcoming the Government decision, Minister Canney said: “Today’s Government approval is an important milestone in bringing this new scheme closer to reality. Since details of the Vehicle Adaptation Scheme were first announced, the proposal has been broadly welcomed by stakeholders and representative groups. There is clear recognition of the positive difference that targeted support for vehicle adaptations can make in helping people maintain their independence and mobility.

“This decision allows the Department of Transport to move ahead with the detailed implementation work needed to establish the scheme. Our focus now is on delivering a modern, fair and sustainable support that will make it easier for people who need vehicle adaptations to continue living, working and participating fully in their communities.”

The need for a modern, fit-for-purpose, needs-based and grant-aided Vehicle Adaptation Scheme was identified by the Transport Working Group of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Senior Officials Group on Disability and a dedicated Vehicle Adaptation Scheme sub-group. The development of the scheme is also identified as a priority action under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.

The Department of Transport is developing the Vehicle Adaptation Scheme as one element of the Government’s wider work to improve transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities.

The scheme will be open to both drivers and passengers who require adaptations to enable them to enter, exit or operate a vehicle. Eligibility will be based on the need for a vehicle adaptation rather than on a medical diagnosis or identification of a particular disability. Subject to the necessary approvals and completion of the remaining preparatory work, applications for the Vehicle Adaptation Scheme could open during the first quarter of 2027.

The Vehicle Adaptation Scheme will operate as a standalone scheme and is not intended to replace the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, which remains under the remit of the Department of Finance.