Vol. 535 No. 3
105 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if provision under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Regulations, 1994 will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12670/01]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the administration of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme, that they have not received an application for relief from the person who is the subject of this question. It is a fundamental requirement for relief under the scheme that the applicant must meet the medical criteria specified in the regulations and be 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. Where the issue of the required certificate is refused, this may be appealed to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal which is an independent body whose decision is final.
In this case I understand that the senior area medical officer refused to issue a primary medical certificate to the person concerned. This refusal was appealed to the medical board of appeal on 18 April, 2001 and an appointment for assessment by the board will be made for the person in due course.
It is regretted that the Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application under the scheme without the issue of a primary medical certificate.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the scheme is currently under review by an interdepartmental group which is chaired by an official from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The group is examining all aspects of the scheme including the medical criteria.
