Vol. 489 No. 6
365 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to change the regulation for disabled drivers and passengers to qualify for primary medical certification in view of the fact that the guidelines do not benefit the volume of disabled drivers and passengers who would like to drive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8956/98]
The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concession under section 92 of the Finance Act, 1989, as amended, are set down in Regulation 3 of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. Six different types of disablement are listed under the regulations and a qualifying person must satisfy one or more of them. Where the person meets the medical criteria, the local director of community care and medical officer of health issues a primary medical certificate for presentation to the Revenue Commissioners. Where the issue of a certificate is refused, the person concerned may appeal that decision to the Disabled Drivers' Medical Board of Appeal, an independent board, whose decision is final.
The current list of medical criteria was drawn up following a wide ranging consultation with all interested parties including organisations representing the disabled. The scope of the medical criteria for qualification was looked at in considerable detail in the course of the review, bearing in mind the various representations which had been received seeking the extension of the benefits of the scheme to many additional categories of disabled people. I should emphasise that the scheme is targeted at those people who are severely and permanently disabled with regard to physical mobility.
I have no plans to amend the current regulations. The cost of the scheme increased year by year and the charge to the Exchequer this year is estimated at £12 million.
