Vol. 536 No. 4
146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of applications received in each community care area for primary medical certification in respect of disabled drivers' and passengers' regulations 1994; the number of approvals; the number of rejections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14414/01]
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. My Department has no statutory responsibility for the regulations or its 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 s/he 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.
As the scheme comes under the aegis of the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners, data relating to its operation, including the granting of primary medical certificates are not collated by my Department. I have forwarded a copy of the Deputy's question to the health board chief executive officers with a request that they forward the information to you directly as a matter of urgency.
