Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The primary medical certificate is so important for people's independence and dignity. It is really extraordinary that a board resigned because of how its members felt this process was being neglected. I appreciate what the Minister of State has said but these people took this action in the first place because they clearly felt so frustrated by the lack of progress being made and how the issue was being neglected by the Government. They did not do it for the sake of publicity because it only came to light afterwards, so they clearly felt the matter was not being progressed or taken seriously. I hope this can be resolved. The Minister of State indicates the board will be reappointed and I look forward to seeing that. There are so many other issues that nevertheless remain to be resolved.

The first of these is how stringent are the criteria for the scheme. This has been well articulated, including by Deputy Ward, who spoke about those affected by multiple sclerosis. Fibromyalgia is another condition affecting the people in question. I recently spoke to the Minister for Health about a constituent of mine who was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma.

She needs to adapt her car to maintain her independence, but she does not qualify for the primary medical certificate because she only has one arm amputated rather than both arms. That is absurd and disgusting. People in that situation face other challenges as well. The cost of prosthetics is not covered by the State. However, it is unacceptable that it is so stringent and that people who have serious impediments to being able to drive are not supported adequately. There are other schemes that are just unaffordable for them. This has a major impact on people's ability to socialise, live their lives, access education and work. It is unacceptable.

The other issue is the appeals and the fact that the waiting times for appeals are far too lengthy. In Cork, the waiting time for applications, even within the strict criteria that exist, is several months and it is between seven and eight months for appeals. That is holding people back from being able to live their lives. Much of this comes back to the fact that parity of esteem has not been shown. There is no respect for the needs of people with disabilities, particularly in this regard. It is seen almost as a luxury rather than the necessity it definitely is. That must change.

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