Gay Mitchell
Question:146 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if there is a provision for subsidising the cost of a car for a certain category of carer. [14951/03]
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' (tax concessions) scheme. In order to qualify for relief under the scheme, an applicant – disabled driver or passenger – must meet the specified medical criteria 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 relevant health board. Where the issue of such a certificate is refused, the person concerned may appeal that decision to the disabled drivers' medical board of appeal, an independent board whose decision is final. 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. There are 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: (a) persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; (b) persons who are wholly without the use of one of their legs and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that they are severely restricted as to movement of their lower limbs; (c) persons without both hands or without both arms; (d) persons without one or both legs; (e) persons wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg; (f) persons having the medical condition of dwarfism and who have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
I have no function in the determination of whether a person meets the strict medical criteria to qualify for the various concessions under the scheme. However, the scheme has been reviewed by an interdepartmental group. Its report is currently being considered and any proposals in this report regarding the medical criteria and other conditions of the scheme will receive full consideration. 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.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:147 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the position in regard to the interdepartmental review of the 1994 disabled drivers disabled passengers tax concession; when it is expected to extend the current limits of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14959/03]
As I have stated previously, 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 proposals contained in this report whether to widen the scope of the scheme or otherwise will receive full consideration.