Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 2

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers Scheme.

Nora Owen

Question:

116 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Finance the reason it is not possible for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin to get a primary medical certificate which will allow her to get some assistance to adapt a car which she requires in view of the fact that she is wheelchair bound; and the proposals, if any, he has to change the very restrictive eligibility clauses for disabled drivers and disabled passengers. [11613/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

I have no function whatsoever with regard to the granting of the primary medical certificate required under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme. For the purposes of the scheme, the granting of this certificate is a matter of judgment on the part of the director of community care and medical officer of health in the local health board. If such certificate is refused, the matter may be appealed to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, an independent body, whose decision is final.

I am informed by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners that the person in question was refused the necessary certificate on the basis that she did not fulfil the medical criteria laid down in the regulations governing the scheme. This refusal was appealed, in accordance with the regulations, to the appeal board. The refusal of the certificate was upheld by the board on 27 September 1997. The person is, of course, entitled to re-apply at a future date should there be a significant change in her medical condition. While the operation of the scheme is always kept under review, I have no plans to amend the current regulations.