Vol. 415 No. 1
147 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance if he will amend the regulations governing the disabled drivers scheme arising from section 92 of the Finance Act, 1989, to enable persons suffering multiple sclerosis to benefit from the scheme.
To qualify for the reliefs available under the disabled drivers scheme established by the Disabled Drivers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1989, applicants must satisfy one or more of the following medical criteria: (a) persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; (b) persons wholly without the use of one of their legs and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that they are severely restricted as to movement of their lower limbs; (c) persons without both hands or without both arms; (d) persons without one or both legs; (e) persons having the medical condition of dwarfism and who have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
Assessment of a claimant is made by reference to the above medical criteria by the directors of community care and medical officers of health in the local health boards. Persons suffering from multiple sclerosis may qualify for the reliefs available on the same basis as any other disabled person, provided they meet any one or more of the above criteria. It would not be appropriate to make specific provision for multiple sclerosis sufferers without having regard to the level of individual disability involved.
148 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance the reasons a person (details supplied) was refused benefit under the disabled driver's scheme; and if he has any plans to amend the scheme to ensure that persons, such as this person, may benefit from the scheme.
To qualify for the reliefs available under the disabled drivers scheme, established by the Disabled Drivers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1989, applicants must satisfy one or more of the medical criteria specified in those regulations. Assessment of claimants is made by reference to these criteria by the directors of community care and medical officers of health in the local health boards.
I understand that the person in question has been refused certification by her local director of community care. That decision may be appealed to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Board, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, if an appeal has not already been lodged. It would not be appropriate for me to interfere with the professional judgments of the medical personnel involved in the operation of the existing scheme. I might mention, however, that a general review of the disabled drivers scheme is being conducted by my Department at present.
