Vol. 549 No. 3
227 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made within his Department to re-examine the regulations governing the qualifying conditions for a primary medical certificate which would allow a greater number of participants in this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6511/02]
As the Deputy is aware, 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 he-she is satisfied that the applicant fulfils 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 the operation of the Revenue scheme.
A working group, chaired by an official from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is currently carrying out a review of the above scheme. I understand the work of the group is at an advanced stage and when it has completed its work it will submit its report to the Minister for Finance for consideration.
