Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2022
127. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the status of the review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme that his Department gave a commitment to undertake; the timeline for reforming the scheme; and the expected date by which the Medical Board of Appeal will recommence hearings. [46288/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on the resumption of the primary medical certificate appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45988/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Finance if the Department of Health has nominated candidates for the disabled driver medical board of appeal following the closure of the second-round expression of interest campaign which closed on 5 July 2022; when he will appoint nominees to the Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46277/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra163. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an update on progress to replace the disabled drivers medical board of appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46248/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 145, 160 and 163 together.
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on 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, effective from 30th November 2021, 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. Department of Finance 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. Processes to support the nomination of suitable candidates are nearing completion. Once these processes have been completed the Minister for Finance 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.
In relation to the review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, the Deputy will be aware, I gave a commitment to the House that such a review including a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities, would be undertaken.
In this context I have been working with Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. We both agreed that the review should be brought within a wider review under the auspices of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), to examine transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities.
We consider this the most appropriate forum to meet mutual objectives in respect of transport solutions/mobility supports for those with a disability.
The NDIS working group, chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte, with officials from both this Department and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well as others, held its first meeting on the 26th January 2022. A stock-taking exercise of existing transport and mobility schemes currently supporting people with disabilities has been completed. At its meeting of 6th September 2022 members were invited to make proposals for next steps. These proposals will be discussed at its next meeting of 29th November 2022.
As part of its contribution to the NDIS review, my Department established an information-gathering group to capture the experiences, expertise and perspectives of former Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) members and Principal Medical Officers (PMOs) in the HSE. A range of outputs have been produced, providing information and views on the DDS scheme as inputs into the broader review.
My officials will continue to engage constructively with the NDIS review with a view to assisting in bringing forward proposals for Government to consider.
I cannot comment on any potential changes to the scheme in advance of these proposals.
