Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
338. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the number of appeals received by the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal in 2019; the number granted and refused on appeal in 2019; the corresponding figures for 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021; the number of suitably qualified applications received for appointment to the new board of appeal; when he expects it to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1755/22]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons who also meet one of six specified medical criteria, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant. In the event that a PMC is not granted by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer an appeal may be made to the independent Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) who operate out of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
In light of the resignations of the board members from the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, Department of Finance officials are working with the Department of Health and the Public Appointments Service in terms of seeking expressions of interest from medical practitioners to participate in the Board. It is hoped to move this process along as quickly as possible to then appoint five members, so that appeals can recommence early in the New Year.
Requests for appeal hearings can be sent to the DDMBA secretary based in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. New appeal hearing dates will be issued once the new Board is in place. Assessments for the primary medical certificate, by the HSE, are continuing to take place.
Appeal Data 2017 - 2021
|
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
New appeals |
680 |
674 |
684 |
204 |
382 |
|
Number of Appeals Assessed |
401 |
386 |
424 |
116 |
148 |
|
Number of Successful Appeals |
12 |
20 |
9 |
4 |
12 |
|
Number of Unsuccessful Appeals |
389 |
366 |
415 |
112 |
136 |
*260 appeals outstanding at 01/2017
**Appeal hearings were lower than usual for 2020 due to both public health considerations and the Supreme Court Case in June 2020. Appeal hearings resumed in early 2021 following an amendment to the Finance Bill to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation which, following the approval of the Finance Act 2020, allowed assessments to recommence.
***2021 appeal hearings have also been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
