Vol. 541 No. 2
393 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance when an appeal against a decision to refuse an application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare under the disabled drivers/passengers tax concession scheme 1994 will be heard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21889/01]
For the Deputy's information, I must confirm that the Minister for Finance has no function whatsoever in the determination of whether a person does or does not meet the strict medical criteria in order to qualify for the various concessions under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme. In order to qualify for relief under the scheme, an applicant must meet the specified medical criteria and be in possession of a primary medical certificate to that effect issued by the appropriate senior area medical officer. 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.
I understand that the issue of the required medical certificate has been refused in this case and that this refusal has been appealed to the Medical Board of Appeal.
I am advised, however, that because of the number of appeals currently being made, a considerable backlog has developed and that it may be some months before the board is in a position to carry out its assessment. This backlog seems to be exacerbated by the fact that many of those who appeal to the board are aware that they do not meet the medical criteria specified in the regulations but still insist on exercising their right of appeal. However, the board will make an appointment for the person concerned as soon as possible.
