Vol. 549 No. 3
180 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied) in County Galway for a disabled driver's grant; the decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6463/02]
182 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is deemed ineligible under the disabled drivers and passengers tax concessions regulations for VAT on this person's car; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs regard this person as a disabled person; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this person is unable to walk more than a few steps and has to be driven to hospitals and medical clinics by his partner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6538/02]
187 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway regarding the VAT concession on a vehicle which enables this person's spouse to drive this person to destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6588/02]
194 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Finance if he will review an application for a VAT concession in respect of a disabled driver (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6758/02]
197 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding a claim for concessions under the disabled drivers regulations by a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6825/02]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 180, 182, 187, 194 and 197 together as they all relate to the same individual and that individual's eligibility for tax relief under the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' scheme.
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.
The Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application for admission to the scheme without the issue of a primary medical certificate. For the Deputies' information, 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.
