Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 115, 129, 150 and 240 together.

The disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme provides relief from vehicle registration tax, VRT, 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 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 Drivers 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 six medical criteria.

It is expected that the board of appeal will be established shortly. The background is that following the resignation of all members of the previous board, effective from 30 November 2021, two expression of interest campaigns have been held, seeking suitable candidates for the board. The Department of Health has led on all actions and tasks with respect to the expression of interest campaigns. Officials from my Department have provided support to the Department of Health in this matter.

The first campaign closed on 29 April. As there were insufficient suitable candidates arising from the first campaign, a second round was issued with a closing date of 5 July 2022. From these, three suitable candidates have successfully completed Garda vetting. Five members are legislatively required for a functional board, with a quorum of three needed for any appeal hearing. Two other candidates have recently been deemed suitable and are in the process of being Garda vetted. All five candidates have been nominated by the Minister for Health, pending successful completion of Garda vetting.

I am hopeful that the new board will be up and running in the next few weeks. In my next reply, I will outline the details of the review of the scheme which is under way.

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