asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who had previously qualified for repayment of excise duty on a car purchased for use as a disabled driver are being refused, even though their applications are supported by identical medical certificates to those approved on previous occasions; if he will consider the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Car Excise Duty Repayment.
146.
Persons eligible for repayment of motor vehicle excise duty under the disabled drivers scheme must be wholly or almost wholly without the use of each of their legs.
The Revenue Commissioners consider each application under the scheme on its merits and in particular on the basis of the evidence furnished in support of the applicant's conformity with the criteria for relief. They became aware of the precise nature of the medical conditions on which the claim by the person in question was based only on the occasion of the most recent application by that person; and as the medical condition of the person did not render her eligible for relief, the commissioners refused the claim for repayment of excise duty.