Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason persons appealing a decision made on their primary medical certificates for tax relief for drivers with disabilities have to travel to Dún Laoghaire in County Dublin for an appointment in view of the fact that to be eligible for the scheme a person has to be significantly disabled; the reason appeal appointments are not held in various locations nationally as is done with other appeals; the actions he will take to make these appointments more accessible for persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14554/19]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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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 appropriate facilities to cater for people with mobility impairing disabilities of the kind provided for under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme.

The Medical Board of Appeal holds regional clinics as demand arises. I'm informed that a clinic will be held in Cork City on the 4th April in St. Finbarr's Hospital. It is important that the Medical Board of Appeal conducts appeals in the appropriate clinical environment.

I would point out that Regulation 6(1)(e) of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. 353 of 1994) provides that the Medical Board of Appeal is independent in the exercise of its functions.