Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
259. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Finance when the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal will be set up and operating again (details supplied); the way in which the huge backlog of applicants will be dealt with in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49470/22]
View answer261. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Finance when the Disabled Drivers Appeals Board will be re-established (details supplied). [49530/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 261 together.
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on 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.
The Minister has 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.
Two Expression of Interest campaigns have been held seeking suitable candidates for the Board. The Department of Health leads on all actions and tasks with respect to the Expression of Interest Campaigns. Department of Finance officials provide support to the Department of Health in this matter.
The first campaign closed on 29th April. As there were insufficient suitable candidates arising from the first campaign, a second round was issued with a closing date of 5th July 2022. From these, three suitable candidates have been identified and are being Garda vetted; it is hoped to interview two further candidates very shortly. Five members are legislatively required for a functional Board with a quorum of three needed for any appeal hearing.
Once these processes have been completed for all candidates the Minister for Finance will then be in a position to appoint any suitable Department of Health nominee to the Board. When the new Board is up and running, it will consider the best way of ensuring outstanding appeals are addressed as quickly as possible.
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.
