Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the case of a person (detailed supplied) in County Sligo; if such appeal hearings can be heard locally in the future to facilitate persons who cannot travel long distances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48458/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal is an independent body under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations. As such I cannot intervene in any individual cases where a person is dissatisfied in their dealings with the Board.

The Board is deemed a public body for the purposes of the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 and any person dissatisfied in their dealings with the Board can make a complaint to the Ombudsman in relation the administrative actions of the Board. I understand that the Board, when communicating with persons, advise them of this avenue of complaint and provide them with the relevant contact details.  

In relation to the issue of regional hearings, hearings of the Board 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 Board that it has held one clinic per year, for the past five years, in Cork City. The Board will consider holding a clinic in other areas if there is enough demand to justify the significant costs associated with holding a regional clinic and also if suitable clinical facilities can be accessed.