Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
63. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants notified to his Department in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 for a primary medical certificate; and if he believes the system is fit for purpose as constituted. [32068/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) have confirmed that the number of applicants for a Primary Medical Certificate was 2,803 in 2020, 3,273 in 2021 and 3,621 in 2022. While the number of applicants for 2023 is not immediately available, I have requested that the HSE forward on these details to the Deputy as soon as possible.As the Deputy may be aware, responsibility for the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme, operated by the Revenue Commissioners, falls under the remit of the Minister for Finance. To qualify for the scheme, an applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. The extent of the involvement of health personnel in the scheme relates to making a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant satisfies the medical criteria set out in the Department of Finance regulations. This determination is undertaken by Senior Medical Officers for the relevant local Health Service Executive (HSE) Community Health Organisation, on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners. These HSE personnel have no role in setting or amending the criteria.A successful applicant is provided with a Primary Medical Certificate. An unsuccessful applicant can appeal the HSE's Senior Medical Officer's decision to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which is under the auspices of the Minister for Finance. As Minister for Health, my role under the legislation is to nominate to the Minister for Finance members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA).However, the Department of Finance has advised that the final report of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Transport Working Group's review of mobility and transport supports including the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS), endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS, as it is no longer fit-for-purpose on any and all aspects.The Department of Finance has confirmed that officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward.
