Vol. 513 No. 3
178 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to ease the conditions of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994, which to many people seem restrictive; and if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [2383/00]
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' scheme is under review by an interdepartmental group which is chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It would be imprudent of me to consider any amendments to the scheme until such time as the review is completed and its content is given due consideration.
I must confirm that the Minister for Finance has no function whatsoever in the determination of whether a person does or does not meet the strict medical criteria in order to qualify for the various concessions under the scheme. To qualify for relief under the scheme, an applicant must meet the specified medical criteria and be in possession of a primary medical certificate to that effect issued by the appropriate senior area medical officer. Where the issue of such 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.
I understand that the person referred to has been refused the required primary medical certificate and has recently appealed this refusal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal. An appointment for assessment by that board will be notified to the person in due course.
