Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017
181. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to the meeting that took place on 6 December 2016 with a person (details supplied), if he will contact the person directly and outline the steps that have been taken since the meeting took place in relation to the primary medical certificate assessment criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31663/17]
View answerThe Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme, which is operated by the Revenue Commissioners, is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance. To qualify for the scheme, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations Act 1994 and be in possession of a primary medical certificate. The Deputy will be aware from the meeting I had with him on the 6 December 2016, that the medical criteria for a primary medical certificate are set be the Department of Finance. While applications for primary medical certificates are processed through the Health Service Executive (HSE) Local Health Offices, HSE personnel have no role in setting or amending the criteria.
My office has been in touch with the person directly to discuss the matter. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to raise this issue with the Minister for Finance.
