Vol. 525 No. 2
392 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will assist a person (details supplied) in County Carlow under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme 1994 who had his appeal listed with the NRB on 10 May 2000 and has had no formal reply to date; the reason for the delay in these cases; and his plans with regard to a complete review of the scheme. [24354/00]
The Minister for Finance has no role in determining whether a person satisfies the medical criteria laid down in the regulations governing the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme. That is a matter for the senior area medical officer of the appropriate health board who will issue a primary medical certificate where the qualifying medical criteria are met. Where the issue of a certificate is refused the person concerned may appeal the decision to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal. This is an independent board whose decision is final and consequently I am not in a position to assist a person who has made such an appeal.
I understand that the person referred to by the Deputy was refused the issue of a certificate and that he appealed the decision to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal which informed him that his appeal had been listed on 10 May 2000 and that he would be offered an appointment in due course. In this event, the person concerned is normally notified of the appointment approximately two weeks before the due date. However, in this case it has not been possible to set a date because of the backlog of cases to be dealt with. In this regard, I am informed that an appointment should be offered within the next three months.
As regards a review of the scheme, as the Deputy is aware an inter-departmental group is currently examining all aspects of the scheme and will furnish a report in due course.
