Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
203. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Finance if and when he plans to reinstate the disabled drivers medical board of appeal; if he plans to amend the criteria of the primary medical certificate process; if he plans on implementing a comprehensive needs-led transport support scheme to replace the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43235/23]
View answer204. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance for an update on the progress made to date on the reestablishment of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal; if the engagement with the National Rehabilitation Hospital has been successful in retaining their service; and the number people currently waiting on an appeal. [43242/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 and 204 together.
Progress has been made on efforts to convene a new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA), to secure new 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 that they will again host the DDMBA. Preparatory work is underway, that will include due deliberation on how best to clear the backlog. 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 new 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.
As of end August 2023 (latest data available) there were 1,079 appeals outstanding.
In relation to the Deputy’s query about amending the criteria of the Primary Medical Cert process, she should note that the final report of the NDIS 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 proposals note that the most prevalent international practice is to provide for the specific vehicular adaptations needed to improve functional ability for those with a disability and with mobility impairments.
The NDIS TWG was chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte and led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. Officials from relevant Departments and agencies under the aegis of the Department of Taoiseach are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward. My officials are proactively engaging with this work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS, as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader Government consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability.
Until a Government decision is made, any further changes to the existing DDS would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme in line with international practice.
Finally the Deputy should note that the Department of Health is responsible for the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant.
