Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if a primary medical certificate will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) who suffers from a multiplicity of health issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55256/23]
View answerThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT 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 defined as those who meet one of the below medical criteria, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Principal Medical Officer (PMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.
An applicant must satisfy at least one of the following medical criteria, in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate:
• be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;
• be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;
• be without both hands or without both arms;
• be without one or both legs;
• be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;
• have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
These criteria are set out in the Finance Act, 2020.
In the event that a PMC is not granted by the relevant PMO an appeal may be made to the independent Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA).
At an appeal hearing the Board reviews the decision by a HSE PMO 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.
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.
