Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013
688. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the criteria for the purposes of application for primary medical certificates, and the process under which persons may appeal a decision made to refuse same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22842/13]
View answer689. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will consider an application for primary medical certificate in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Louth; if he will outline the reason for refusal of same; if there is recourse for these persons to appeal the decision in view of the medical conditions and associated mobility issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22843/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 688 and 689 together.
The Revenue Commissioners' operate a Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme whereby a person with a disability or a family member can qualify for tax relief linked to the purchase of vehicles, providing the person with a disability is the holder of a Primary Medical Certificate. Applications for Primary Medical Certificates are processed by the Health Service Executive through local health offices.
The medical criteria for entry to the scheme, which are set out by the Department of Finance, are that the person with disability must be severely and permanently disabled and come within the following categories- Be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; Be 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 the movement of their lower limbs; Be without both hands or without both arms; Be without one or both legs; Be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg; Have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of lower limbs.
Where the issue of a Primary Medical Certificate is refused, the applicant may appeal this refusal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. This is an independent Board, whose decision is final. Where the Board considers that the person concerned meets the criteria, it will issue the required certificate. It is of course open to the individual to re-apply for a Primary Medical Certificate should a change occur in his/her medical condition to the extent that the medical criteria may be met. I have referred the individual case raised by the Deputy to the Health Service Executive, for a direct reply to the Deputy.
