Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 460: To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to improve the length of waiting time for assessment of an appeal for certification for the purpose of the Finance Act 1989 and the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994, in view of the fact that the waiting time is seven months. [28557/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following a period of difficulty in organising sufficient meetings of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, I reconstituted the Board in early 2005, and have incrementally expanded the panel of doctors from three to the current seventeen members. This has facilitated more frequent meetings of the Board, thus enabling continuing progress to be made in reducing the backlog of appeals that had arisen and in reducing the waiting time for assessment of appeals.

As the Deputy is aware, the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which determines appeals from a refusal of a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme, is independent in the execution of its functions.