Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 4

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers Scheme.

Ivor Callely

Question:

33 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Finance the number of applicants for disabled drivers and passengers tax concessions who failed to obtain the primary medical certificate in order for their applications to be successful; the feedback regarding recurring difficulties for medical officers completing the certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22584/99]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

Primary medical certificates required for relief from tax under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994, are issued by the appropriate senior area medical officers. These officers are employed by the health boards. It is understood, however, that a number of senior area medical officers have reported that they are coming under increasing, pressure for certification from persons who do not meet the medical criteria.

Refusal of the required certificate may be appealed to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which is an independent body whose decision is final. Since the board was established in 1990 they have assessed 738 persons. The requisite certificates were issued in 156 of these cases. These figures do not reflect the numbers of persons who may have been refused primary medical certificates but did not proceed to assessment by the board of appeal.

As the Deputy is no doubt aware, this scheme is under review by an interdepartmental group which is chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The group will be arranging, to meet with representatives of a number of organisations, including the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, as well as with a number of persons who indicated a desire to make oral submissions. The information furnished at these meetings will facilitate the group in bringing its work to a conclusion and in finalising its report for consideration.