Vol. 502 No. 3
306 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if a person suffering from emphysema and unable to walk more than a few yards can qualify for assistance towards purchase or running expenses of a car, for example, VRT, car and fuel tax; the procedures involved in this regard; and if application can be made for car and fuel tax. [8445/99]
The Deputy is referring to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concession under this scheme are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, copies of which are available in the Dáil Library. I would also refer the Deputy to the Adjournment Debate in this House on 2 March 1999 which comprehensive dealt with the workings of this scheme.
Six different types of disablement are listed under the regulations and a qualifying person must satisfy one or more of them. It is the nature and the extent of the disability which determines a person's eligibility under the scheme rather than the circumstances which have given rise to that disability. The scheme targets relief at those persons who are severely and permanently disabled with regard to physical mobility. Where a person meets the medical criteria, the relevant senior area medical officer issues a primary medical certificate for presentation to the Revenue Commissioners. Where the issue of such a certificate is refused, the person concerned may appeal that decision to the Disabled Drivers' Medical Board of Appeal, an independent board, whose decision is final.
