Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
321. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance the actions that have been taken to reinstate the new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal which has been stood down since November 2021; if he will provide a county-by-county breakdown of the waiting list; the steps that will be put in place to accelerate the process once the new board has commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41893/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax 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 as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable 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. To qualify for a Primary Medical Certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled, and satisfy at least one of the six medical criteria.
The Minister has 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.
Following the resignation of all members of the previous Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal two Expression of Interest campaigns have been held, seeking suitable candidates for the Board. The Department of Health leads on all actions and tasks with respect to the Expression of Interest Campaigns. My officials provide support to the Department of Health in this matter.
The first campaign closed on 29th April. As there were insufficient suitable candidates arising from the first campaign, a second round was issued with a closing date of 5th July 2022. Department of Health processes to support the nomination of suitable candidates are ongoing. Once these processes have been completed I will then be in a position to appoint any suitable Department of Health nominee to the Board. When the new Board is up and running, it will consider the best way of ensuring outstanding appeals are addressed as quickly 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.
Assessments for the primary medical certificate, by the HSE, are continuing to take place.
County-level breakdowns of those awaiting an appeal hearing are not available. As of 5th July 2022 (latest data available) there were 575 requests awaiting an appeal hearing, of which 382 date from 2021.
