Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons presently qualifying for the Disabled Drivers and Passengers tax concessions scheme; the number of current applicants; and the number of those whose applications are under appeal. [12584/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Based on the most recent data available from the Revenue Commissioners, it is estimated that the number of claimants in the Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations 1994 Scheme in 2006, was approximately 11,000.

The initial application under the 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.

Appeals relating to the medical aspect of the Scheme are made to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal. As at end February 2007, 358 appeals were with the Medical Board of Appeal.