Robert Troy
Ceist:259. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if he will approve a primary medical certificate for a person (details supplied). [11317/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 1 March 2022
Ceisteanna (259)
Freagraí scríofa
The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.
The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons who also meet the below medical criteria, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other qualifying criteria apply in relation to the vehicle, in particular that it must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.
To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of six medical criteria, in order to obtain a Primary Medical Certificate.
In the event that a PMC is not granted by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer an appeal may be made to the independent Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) who operate out of the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire.
I am informed that the individual concerned had an appeal in October 2019 and was found ineligible for the Primary Medical Certificate. She subsequently inquired about her case through correspondence with the Chair of the DDMBA in early August 2021 but did not submit a new appeal in 2021 or 2022.
I have no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMCs and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.