Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 6

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Mary Wallace

Question:

79 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether a disabled driver with a paralysed right leg has no different driving ability to a disabled driver with an amputated right leg and that both drivers can be considered to be without the use of one leg; his views on whether the wording of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulation 1994, which currently reads, without one leg, should read, without the use of one leg, in view of the fact that in practical terms there is no difference; if consideration will be given to amending the wording of the regulations, particularly in view of the fact that both drivers are allocated special driving licences which confine their licence to drive to specially adapted vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3665/97]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

The medical criteria which must be met in order that a person may qualify for tax relief are set out in regulation 3 of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994. Six different types of disability are listed and a qualifying person must meet at least one of them. I should point out that these regulations were drawn up following consultation with a wide range of interested organisations representing the disabled. The issue of the medical criteria for qualification under the scheme was examined in considerable detail in the course of the consultations. The purpose of the scheme is to target what are costly reliefs on those clearly severely and permanently disabled.

The issue of the qualifying medical certificate — as required under regulation 4 — is a matter of medical judgement on the part of the certifying physician, i.e. the Director of Community Care and Medical Officer of Health, as to whether an individual meets one or more of the particular medical criteria. If such a certificate is refused, the person may appeal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal. It would not be appropriate for me to intervene in this independent medical process.

I assure the Deputy that the operation of the scheme is kept under periodic review.