Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
232. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance when a new board will be appointed in view of the resignation of all members of the previous Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; and when assessments will resume. [17414/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) 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 one of six specified medical criteria, as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for the Scheme, the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate, a PMC, issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) in the HSE. Assessments for the primary medical certificate, by the HSE, are continuing to take place. 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.
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 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.
In relation to the resignation of all members of the DDMBA, my officials engaged with the Department of Health and the Public Appointments Service to seek expressions of interest from medical practitioners to participate in the Board. I am informed that the formal notice seeking expressions of interest have been issued. It is hoped to move this process along as quickly as possible so that appeals can recommence as soon as possible.
Requests for appeal hearings can be sent to the DDMBA secretary based in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. New appeal hearing dates will be issued once the new Board is in place.
