Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Finance when a decision will be made in the case of an application for appeal regarding a medical certificate for disabled drivers to the Health Service Executive in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19019/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have no direct responsibility for the day to day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. Queries on individual cases may be addressed to the secretary of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin or alternatively by telephone at 01 2355279.

The Deputy may be aware that there were a number of operational difficulties with the board of appeal and these have now been resolved. The new chairperson of the board, whom I appointed on 14 March 2005, has been asked to address the backlog of appeals as a priority. To facilitate more frequent meetings of the board, I brought in new regulations on 7 April 2005 allowing for the appointment of up to ten medical practitioners to the board of appeal. There are currently seven medical practitioners on the board of appeal, and I hope to make further appointments shortly. It is intended that these improvements will substantially reduce the current waiting time for an appeal.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason for the delay in determining an appeal in relation to the sanctioning of a medical certificate for a disabled driver (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19069/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have no direct responsibility for the day to day operation of the medical board of appeal for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers (tax concessions) scheme. Queries on individual cases may be addressed to the secretary of the disabled drivers medical board of appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin or alternatively by telephone at 01 2355279.

The Deputy may be aware that there were a number of operational difficulties with the board of appeal and these have now been resolved. The new chairperson of the board, whom I appointed on 14 March 2005, has been asked to address the backlog of appeals as a priority. To facilitate more frequent meetings of the board, I brought in new regulations on 7 April 2005 allowing for the appointment of up to ten medical practitioners to the board of appeal. There are currently seven medical practitioners on the board of appeal, and I hope to make further appointments shortly. It is intended that these improvements will substantially reduce the current waiting time for an appeal.