Vol. 518 No. 5
127 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the rules for disabled passengers to get motor tax concessions under the Finance Act so that they would no longer exclude persons who are seriously incapacitated and cannot participate in community life without these motor concessions such as a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [12296/00]
It is a fundamental requirement for relief from tax under the Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994, that the disabled person meets the specified medical criteria and is in possession of a primary medical certificate to that effect issued by the appropriate senior area medical officer, who is an official of the local health board. In cases where the issue of the certificate is refused, it is open to the applicant to appeal this refusal to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, an independent board whose decision is final.
The board of appeal has advised the Revenue Commissioners that the person named wrote to the board on 12 April 2000, appealing the refusal of a primary medical certificate. The person has been advised by the chairman of the board that, on the basis of an examination of the medical information submitted with the letter of appeal, it would appear that the medical criteria are not met at this time. However if the person still wishes to proceed with the appeal he or she should advise the board accordingly who will arrange an appointment for the physical assessment to take place in due course. It is regretted that the Revenue Commissioners cannot consider an application for relief under the scheme without the issue of the required certificate.
As I have informed the House on a number of occasions, the scheme is currently being reviewed by an interdepartmental group under the chair of an official of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The group is examining all aspects of the scheme, including the medical criteria, and I hope to receive its report later in the year.
