Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2023
315. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Finance to provide an update when he anticipates that the new Disabled Drivers Medical Board will become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53043/23]
View answerProgress has been made on efforts to convene a new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA), to secure new hosting arrangements for the DDMBA and to recommence the appeals process.
I have now formally appointed all five members to the new DDMBA. Funding arrangements between the Department of Finance and the Department of Health have been agreed. On this basis the National Rehabilitation Hospital has confirmed they will again host the DDMBA.
Consequently, I can confirm that appeal hearings will recommence in the first half of December 2023.
I appreciate that it has taken far longer than anticipated to get to this point. With the Department of Health, Department of Finance officials have had to run four Expression of Interest campaigns over 18 months to source the legislatively required five members. Officials have also had to re-negotiate new hosting arrangements with the NRH following their withdrawal of services in February 2023.
Finally, I have no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMCs and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.
