Vol. 549 No. 3
177 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W was deemed ineligible under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994; if he will review the decision in view of information provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6274/02]
It is a fundamental requirement of 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 has any role in the medical assessment of persons for the purposes of admission to the scheme.
In this case, I understand that the person concerned was refused the issue of a primary medical certificate and that this refusal was appealed to the Disabled Drivers' Medical Board of Appeal. The board assessed the person concerned on 7 March 2001 and the refusal was upheld. At the person's request, the board reviewed this particular case again in September 2001, but maintained its original decision not to issue the requisite primary medical certificate. The Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application for admission to the scheme without the issue of such a certificate. It should be noted that there are other State funded schemes aimed at mobility, namely a mobility allowance and a motorised transport grant, both of which are payable by the health boards.
