Vol. 519 No. 5
143 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the waiting times for a board of appeal hearing for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 are unacceptable; and the plans, if any, he has to improve the situation. [14132/00]
It is a fundamental requirement for relief under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994, that the person meets the medical criteria specified in the regulations and is in possession of a primary medical certificate to that effect, issued by the appropriate senior area medical officer. In cases where the issue of the primary medical certificate is refused on the basis that the medical criteria are not met, it is open to the applicant to appeal this refusal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, an independent body, whose decision is final.
In 1999, 170 appeals were considered by the board, of which only 15 were successful. This factor is tending to create difficulties for the appeal board. An interdepartmental group is reviewing the scheme and I await receipt of its report. I have asked my Department to consult the board to see if there is any practical help we can give to shorten the waiting time for the hearing of appeals.
