Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
502. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) who has tried to appeal, since 2020, the decision to reject their application for a primary medical certificate but has been unable to do so as the National Rehabilitation Hospital have advised that the board has yet to be reconvened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20190/22]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax 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 as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable 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. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of the six medical criteria.
I have no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMCs and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.
A new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal is being established following the resignation of all 5 members of the previous board. An Expression of Interest seeking suitable candidates for the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal is now published on gov.ie with a closing date of 29th April 2022.
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.
