Vol. 550 No. 2
216 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Meath has been refused the concessions under the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) regulation scheme; if this medical condition is being examined by the interdepartmental review group, as part of its assessment of the medical criteria thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7736/02]
It is a fundamental requirement for relief under the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' (tax concessions) scheme that the person with the disability meets the specified medical criteria and be in possession of a primary medical certificate to that effect issued by the appropriate senior area medical officer, who is an official of the local health board. Where the issue of the required certificate is refused this may be appealed to the disabled drivers' medical board of appeal, which is an independent body whose decision is final. Neither my Department nor the Revenue Com missioners has any role in the medical assessment of persons for the purposes of the relief.
In this case I understand that the senior area medical officer refused the person concerned the issue of a primary medical certificate. The board of appeal upheld this refusal after an assessment which was carried out on 3 November 2001. It should be noted that it is the nature and extent of the disability which determines a person's eligibility under the scheme rather than the circumstances which have given rise to that disability.
The Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application for admission to the scheme without the issue of a primary medical certificate. The scheme is currently under review by an interdepartmental group which is chaired by an official from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The group is examining all aspects of the scheme, including the qualifying medical criteria. I understand that the work of the group is at an advanced stage. Any proposals whether to widen the scope of the scheme or otherwise which may emanate from the review group will receive full consideration. Until such time, no amendments to the scheme will be considered. For the Deputy's information, there are other State funded schemes aimed at mobility, namely a mobility allowance and a motorised transport grant, both of which are payable by the health boards.
