Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Mary Wallace

Question:

224 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if the legislation allows for a situation when a child is born without the use of both legs, remains permanently without the use of both legs at the age of five but with a hope that some day with extensive physiotherapy the child might walk, that a temporary primary medical certificate be issued for a two year period or a five year period to be reviewed, as distinct from waiting until the child is age 70 in order to be sure that the child never walks. [3218/03]

Mary Wallace

Question:

225 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if the word permanent in the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' (tax concessions) scheme relates to cases as in broken legs that will fix as distinct from a situation when a child is born without the use of both legs as in category (a) persons who are wholly or almost without the use of both legs and remains permanently without the use of both legs at the age of five. [3219/03]

Mary Wallace

Question:

237 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance the reason the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme 1994 does not allow for a review procedure of primary medical certificates as this is causing difficulty for members of the medical profession issuing the certificates to a person aged five who is presently a qualifying applicant under section (a) of the criteria, that is, persons who are wholly or almost wholly without use of both legs, and the medical officer would have no problem issuing the primary medical certificate except for they cannot be certain that the person will never walk and would need to have an option of a five year review which the present form designed by his Department does not allow for; if the form can be redesigned to provide for a five year review in a situation where the applicant is a child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3570/03]

Mary Wallace

Question:

238 Ms M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the suggestion made by members of the medical profession that the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme 1994 should provide three separate criteria for issuing the primary medical certificate to passengers, drivers and children; if he can ensure the drafting of three primary medical certificate forms and three separate criteria for issuing the three separate forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3571/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 224, 225, 237 and 238 together.

It is a fundamental requirement for the above relief that the applicant must meet the medical criteria specified in the regulations and be 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 the required certificate is refused this can be appealed to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, an independent body whose decision is final.
The Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application for the relief without the issue of a valid primary medical certificate.
The word permanent in the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme relates to disablement which is lasting or intended to last indefinitely. The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concession under this scheme are set out in the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) regulations 1994. Six different types of disablement are listed under the regulations and a qualifying person must satisfy one or more of them. The six types of disablement are as follows: persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; persons who are wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs; persons without both hands or without both arms; persons without one or both legs; persons wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg; persons having the medical condition of dwarfism and having serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
An interdepartmental group was set up in 1997 to review the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. The group examined all aspects of the scheme, including the qualifying medical criteria.
I have been informed there are up to 360,000 persons in Ireland who could be regarded as disabled to some degree or other. These include both persons with medical conditions other than those covered by the scheme, and those with medical conditions covered by the scheme. The substantial tax benefits of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme make for considerable interest in and desire to be admitted to the scheme.
The cost of reliefs excluding annual road tax costs is estimated to be in the region of €34 million in 2002, as compared to €5.1 million in 1994. I have received the report of the interdepartmental review group on the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme and it is currently being considered. Any recommendations contained in this report in relation to the medical criteria and other conditions of the scheme will receive full consideration.
No changes will be made to these regulations until this deliberative process is completed.
Top
Share