Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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132. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason that those who are appealing their denial of disabled driver status must travel to Dublin for a medical review when this causes undue hardship and stress for the persons, as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will examine the possibility of rural appellants attending medical reviews in HSE centres in their local regions. [6987/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, a Primary Medical Certificate is required to claim the tax reliefs provided under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme.  The Senior Medical Officer for the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area makes a professional clinical determination as to whether an individual applicant satisfies the medical criteria to receive a Primary Medical Certificate. An unsuccessful applicant can appeal the decision of the Senior Medical Officer to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which makes a new clinical determination in respect of the individual.

Hearings of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal are held on average twice a month at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, which has the facilities to cater for people with mobility impairing disabilities of the kind provided for under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme.

I am informed by the Medical Board of Appeal that they do hold regional clinics as demand arises. I'm informed that one clinic per year, for the past five years, has been held in Cork City.  It is important that the Medical Board of Appeal conducts appeals in the appropriate clinical environment.

The Medical Board of Appeal will consider holding a clinic in other Regional areas if there is enough demand to justify the significant costs associated with the travel and locum expenses arising from holding a regional clinic and also if a suitable location can be accessed.