Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to pay tribute with two very inspirational young men. One is 12-year-old Pádraig O'Callaghan from Limerick and it is his birthday today. Recently he was appointed Limerick Person of the Year 2021. Every Monday he does a podcast and people should listen to this very inspirational young man because he motivates people. He talks about his disability but does not allow it to drag him down. The second inspirational young man is called James Casserly. He is travelling around Ireland on buses and trains, including Luas, to assess public transport for wheelchair users. He was on the BBC this morning. I wish both of them all the best.

In terms of a primary care certificate for someone with a disability, I have been contacted by a person who applied for a primary care certificate last November, was told in mid-November that he or she did not qualify and then lodged an appeal. It is now the end of April yet nobody has been appointed by the Department of Transport to adjudicate on primary care certificates. Perhaps the Deputy Leader and her office would write to the Minister to highlight this matter because delays are not fair to people who await a certificate. The person to whom I refer is in their 80s, must use taxis because they have no driving licence and cannot drive because they await a decision on their appeal. It is inappropriate that six months have elapsed and no qualified person has been appointed to adjudicate on whether this person qualifies. There are many people in the same position and I would like the Deputy Leader to support this matter.