Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 585: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of people who applied for the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 in the past twelve months; the number of applications that were successful; the number of applicants who appealed their claims to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; and the number of appeals that were successful. [2834/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The initial application under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme is made to the Senior Medical Officer for the relevant local Health Services Executive (HSE) administrative area and therefore falls under the remit of the HSE. Consequently, my Department is not in a position to outline the total number of applications received. However, successful applications which lead to the granting of the Primary Medical Certificate — the basis on which the tax concessions are granted — are processed by the Revenue Commissioners. They have confirmed that in the second half of 2006, 935 new applications were processed (the total number for 2006 is not available).

There were 377 appeals made to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal in 2006. However, a significant number of these appeals would not have been heard to date. With respect to the 397 appeals that were heard in 2006 by the Medical Board of Appeal, 121 were successful.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 586: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 as the medical criteria laid down in the regulations is too restrictive; when this scheme was last reviewed; the locations at which people can make observations regarding this scheme; and the locations at which applicants can submit an appeal regarding their possible entitlement to this scheme. [2835/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in determining the future direction of the scheme.

The Group's Report, published on my Department's website in July 2004, sets out in detail the genesis and development of the scheme. It examines the current benefits, the qualifying medical criteria, the Exchequer costs, relationship with other schemes and similar schemes in other countries. The Report also makes a number of recommendations, both immediate and long-term, referring respectively to the operation of the appeals process and options for the future development of the scheme.

In respect of the long-term recommendations, including those relating to the qualifying disability criteria, further changes can only be made after careful consideration, given the scale and scope of the scheme. For this reason, the Government decided that the Minister for Finance would consider the recommendations contained in the Report of the Interdepartmental Review Group in the context of the annual budgetary process having regard to the existing and prospective cost of the scheme. This consideration is undertaken on a regular basis. With regard to people making observations on this Scheme, any such contributions can be submitted to my Department.

A person who is refused a Primary Medical Certificate, necessary for qualification for the tax exemptions under this Scheme, can appeal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal at the address provided below. The Medical Board of Appeal is independent in the exercise of its functions. Queries in respect of the appeal should be addressed by the person concerned to the Secretary to the Board, Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, c/o National Rehabilitation Hospital, Rochestown Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ph: 01-2355279.