Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

658 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department or other bodies under the aegis of his Department act on an agency basis for other Government Departments, such as in the case of examination of applicants under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20720/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The situation regarding this matter is as I outlined in my response to the Deputy's Question No. 283 on 10 May 2000. The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994, were drawn up by the Minister for Finance and come under the remit of the Revenue Commissioners. The Department of Health and Children has no statutory responsibility for the regulations or their operation.

To qualify, a person must meet the medical criteria specified in the above regulations which are not set by the Department of Health and Children. The senior area medical officer for the relevant health board area will issue a primary medical certificate if he or she is satisfied that the applicant fulfils the medical criteria set out in the Department of Finance's Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994. This role is to assist the operation of the Revenue scheme.

If a person is dissatisfied with a decision of a director of community care and medical officer of health in respect of primary medical certification, it is open to that person to appeal to the Medical Board of Appeal. However, as with the above regulations, the Department of Health and Children has no statutory responsibility for this board of appeal.