Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

A constituent contacted me yesterday. He applied for a primary medical certificate last April to provide relief from vehicle registration tax and VAT on the purchase of an adapted car as he has CIDP, a disorder which is characterised by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the arms and legs. He was turned down and appealed this in September. He is still waiting for that appeal. On investigation, it appears all the board members resigned from the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal last year. In a reply to a parliamentary question last June, the Minister for Finance advised at that stage that there were 382 appeals outstanding from 2021 and 175 appeals to date from 2022. I have been advised that figure is now up to 700. The Minister advised that an expression of interest seeking suitable candidates for the board closed on 21 April last year and a panel had been convened. This board is still not set up as far as I am aware. I am seeking an update on the situation. I am sure the Taoiseach would agree that it is not satisfactory or acceptable that 700 disabled people have been left in limbo waiting for their appeal to be heard. What can they do about?

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