Finian McGrath
Ceist:388 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the reason some people with serious disabilities are excluded from funding and allowances, for example VAT reductions on cars. [21155/03]
Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. This scheme provides a range of tax reliefs in connection with the purchase and use of vehicles by drivers, passengers and organisations. It is a fundamental requirement for the above relief that the applicant must meet the medical criteria specified in the regulations 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. In this regard it should be noted that the medical criteria relate essentially to disabilities that affect the physical mobility of the person concerned.
Where the issue of the required certificate is refused this can be appealed to the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, an independent body whose decision is final. The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concession under this scheme are set out in the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) regulations 1994. Six different types of disablement are listed under the regulations and a qualifying person must satisfy one or more of them. The six types of disablement are as follows: a) persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs; b) persons who are wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs; c) persons without both hands or without both arms; d) persons without one or both legs; e) persons wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg; and f) persons having the medical condition of dwarfism and has serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
An individual who qualifies under the medical criteria as set out above is issued with a primary medical certificate. Possession of a primary medical certificate provides for remission or repayment of vehicle registration tax plus a repayment of value added tax on the purchase of the vehicle, plus a repayment of VAT on the cost of adaptation of the vehicle. Repayment of the excise duty on fuel used in the motor vehicle and exemption from annual road tax to local authorities are also provided for.
The Revenue Commissioners are unable to consider an application for the relief without the issue of a valid primary medical certificate.
As I have indicated in replies to previous questions on this issue, an interdepartmental review group has examined the disabled drivers' and disabled passengers' (tax concessions) scheme. I have received the report of the group and it is being considered. Any recommendations contained in this report in relation to the medical criteria and other conditions of the scheme will receive full consideration.