Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I will deal with that. I do not disagree. As the Deputy may be aware, an interdepartmental group reviewed this scheme. It examined all its aspects, including the qualifying medical criteria, the benefits and the appeal process. The report made a number of recommendations that were considered by the Government in June 2004. The report was published on the Department of Finance website in July 2004. The Government decided to implement the recommendations in respect of the board of appeal, which will be addressed separately. On the other recommendations, the Government decided that they would be considered by the Minister for Finance in the annual budgetary process having regard to the existing and prospective cost of the scheme.

The medical board of appeal is regulated by the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 and 2005. The 2004 regulations were signed by the Minister for Finance on 23 July 2004 and incorporated the following changes to the previous legislation: first, expansion of the panel of medical practitioners serving on the medical board of appeal from three to five and, second, amendment of the appeals process by introducing a six month waiting period between an appeal and a subsequent application and introducing the requirement for a second application to be certified by a registered medical practitioner to the effect that there has been material disimprovement in the medical condition since the previous application.

These changes were introduced on foot of recommendations of the interdepartmental review group report. They were recommended to improve the operation of the appeals process and enable the backlog of appeals to be tackled. In addition, last week the Minister for Finance brought in further regulations that will allow him to appoint an additional five medical practitioners to the board of appeal, which will now allow for ten medical practitioners to be on the board compared with the situation prior to July of last year when there were only three doctors on the board of appeal.

It is true that the appeals process has not operated effectively but this problem has been comprehensively addressed and the solution is being implemented. The Departments of Finance and Health and Children have been engaged in the process of reconstituting the board following a number of staff changes late last year and a number of administrative issues. Significant progress has been made and it is expected the board will resume its meetings in the National Rehabilitation Hospital shortly. On 14 March, the Minister appointed a new chairperson — senior level doctor — to the board. It is understood a new secretary is being recruited and will be in place shortly.

As a public representative, I appreciate there have been long and inordinate delays. We have all experienced this and it is not acceptable. The Minister has now dealt with this and I hope with the new board, chairman and secretary, this can be expedited.

In respect of the waiting list for an appeal, there are in excess of 600 appellants. The new chairperson of the board has been asked to address the backlog as a priority and the increase in the number of doctors who can participate in appeal hearings will allow for appeals to be heard much more frequently. The necessary new appointments to the board will be made over the coming weeks to facilitate the process of dealing with the waiting list.

These new arrangements being put in place should lead to an improved and streamlined operation of the board of appeal in dealing with appeals for the scheme.

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