Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Finance the changes that have been made to the medical criteria of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme 1994 since it came into operation; the number of persons who have applied for the primary medical certificate to qualify for this scheme since it was introduced on a yearly basis; the number of those applications that were refused or appealed; and the numbers refused or granted on appeal. [28460/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There have been no changes made to the medical criteria for eligibility for the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme since the current principal regulations underpinning the scheme were made in 1994. Previously, the range of disabilities that rendered a person eligible had been extended in 1989 and 1993. The current medical criteria were drawn up, in consultation with medical experts, including the former National Rehabilitation Board, to target persons with the most severe and permanent physical mobility difficulties.

Applications for primary medical certificates to allow a person to qualify for the scheme are made to the senior area medical officers of the Health Service Executive throughout the country. Therefore, my Department does not have access to the detailed statistics requested. With regard to appeals to the scheme's medical board of appeal, I have been informed by the medical board of appeal that, of the appeal cases heard by the board since 1994, approximately 21% were granted.