Ned O'Keeffe
Question:87 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a claim by a person (details supplied) in County Cork under the disabled drivers' concession scheme. [6207/02]
Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.
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 admission to the scheme from the person referred to by the Deputy.
It is a fundamental requirement for this scheme that the disabled person meets the medical criteria specified in the relevant regulations 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. Where the issue of a primary medical certificate is refused, it is open to the applicant to appeal this refusal to the disabled drivers' medical board of appeal, an independent body whose decision is final. It will be noted that neither the Revenue Commissioners nor my Department have any role in the medical assessment of persons for the purposes of admission to the scheme.
The Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application for admission to the scheme without the issue of a primary medical certificate.