Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
229. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance on behalf of a person (details supplied) when will an appeals board be formed to deal with primary medical certificates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42305/23]
View answerProgress has been made on efforts to convene a new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA), to secure hosting arrangements for the DDMBA and to recommence the appeals process.
I have now formally appointed all five members to the new DDMBA. Funding arrangements between the Department of Finance and the Department of Health have been agreed. On this basis the National Rehabilitation Hospital {NRH) has confirmed they will again host the DDMBA. Preparatory work is underway, that will include due deliberation on how best to clear the backlog of appeal hearing requests. The appeals process will re-commence upon completion of this work. In parallel, my officials are working with the NRH to conclude other conditions for the hosting arrangements, which may continue after the appeals process is again up and running.
I appreciate that it has taken far longer than anticipated to get to this point. With the Department of Health we have had to run four Expression of Interest campaigns over 18 months to source the legislatively required five members. We have also had to re-negotiate new hosting arrangements with the NRH following their withdrawal of services in February 2023.
At an appeal hearing the Board reviews the decision by a HSE Primary/Senior Area Medical Officer not to award a PMC, and determines if an appellant does, or does not meet, one of the six medical criteria. Only if an appellant meets one of the six eligibility criteria will the Board issue a Board Medical Certificate.
Finally you should note that 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.
