Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 6

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

183 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if he has an indication as to the likely number of applicants seeking qualification under the Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25684/01]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The fundamental requirement for relief from tax under the Disabled Drivers and Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994, is 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. The Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application for relief without the issue of a primary medical certificate. In cases where the issue of a certificate is refused, it is open for the applicant to appeal this refusal to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, an independent board whose decision is final. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the administration of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme, that the number of applications processed by them is as follows:

	Drivers	Passengers	Organisations	Total
1999	1,362	1,243	116	2,721
2000	1,612	1,689	94	3,395
2001 (to 30/9)	1,359	1,368	157	2,884

1,132 of the applications processed so far this year are from first time applicants. It is estimated that the number of applications processed during 2001 will be of the order of 3,800.

Application for relief in respect of a vehicle can be made only at intervals of two years or more. Based on the number of persons who are claiming relief from excise duty on fuel on an ongoing basis, it is estimated that some 7,500 people with disabilities are currently actively participating in the scheme.

With regard to others who may be seeking admission to the scheme I have no indication as to the number of applicants involved. While definitions of disability vary, I have been informed that there are up to 360,000 in Ireland who could be regarded as disabled to some degree or other. These include both persons with less severe medical conditions than those which are covered by the scheme and persons with medical conditions which are not covered by the scheme. The substantial tax benefits of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme make for considerable interest in and desire to be admitted to the scheme.