Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. The Joint Committee on Disability Matters held an all-day meeting on 8 April. One of the main issues raised that day related to the criteria for the primary medical certificate. Some of the legislation that acts as the basis for the certificate dates from the late 1960s. Many people have said that the DDS is not fit for purpose but that the various other schemes and grants available to people to provide transport have been done away with over the years.

A report was sent to the Department of Finance in January. There is a great deal of interaction between that Department and the Departments of the Taoiseach, disability and health. I ask that the Minister do whatever he can to ensure that the report is published early this autumn and that, if legislative change is needed, it be laid before the Houses as soon as possible. On the face of it, one would expect certain people to qualify under the criteria for the primary medical certificate, but once they are assessed, they do not qualify and they are left without any mode of transport. This is a crucial issue. One fifth of the population has a disability of one type or another. There are many issues in the disability sector, but this one should be taken off the table and resolved once and for all.

See this speech in context