Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 31 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 2

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

110 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applicants for mobility allowance or concession under the 1994 disabled drivers and disabled passengers regulations who have been refused in County Kildare in each of the past five years; the number approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3083/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) regulations, 1994 were drawn up by the Minister for Finance and come under the remit of the Revenue Commissioners. The Department of Health and Children has no statutory responsibility for the regulations or their operation.

To qualify, a person must meet the medical criteria specified in the above regulations, which are not set by the Department of Health and Children. The senior area medical officer for the relevant health board area will issue a primary medical certificate if s/he is satisfied that the applicant fulfills the medical criteria set out in the Department of Finance's disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) regulations, 1994. This role is to assist in the operation of the Revenue scheme.

If a person is dissatisfied with a decision of a senior area medical officer in respect of primary medical certification, it is open to that person to appeal to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal. However, as with the regulations outlined, the Department of Health and Children has no statutory responsibility for this board of appeal.

The mobility allowance, which is a monthly payment administered by the health boards, provides financial support to severely disabled people who are unable to walk or use public transport and is intended to enable them to benefit from a change in surroundings – for example, by financing the occasional taxi journey. The current maximum rate of the allowance for non-beneficiaries of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme is €126.00 per month, from 1 January 2002. Those who are benefitting from the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme can avail of the mobility allowance at a reduced rate of up to a maximum of €63.00 per month, from 1 January 2002.

With regards to the Deputy's question, the following information was supplied by the South Western Area Health Board regarding the Kildare/West Wicklow region:

*Year	Mobility Allowances approved	Mobility Allowances refused	Primary Medical Certificate approved	Primary Medical Certificate refused
1997	20	3	38	21
1998	5	0	33	23
1999	8	4	77	25
2000	7	1	44	37

*The information has not yet been collated for 2001.

Although the primary medical certificate may be a prerequisite to fulfilling the conditions of qualification for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme, the final decision on any individual case would rest with the Revenue Commissioners, disabled drivers section.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

111 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a mobility allowance was refused to persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3084/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The assessment of and entitlement to the mobility allowance in any individual case is a matter for the relevant health board. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive, Eastern Regional Health Authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.