Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should note at the outset, that applications for a Primary Medical Certificate are a matter for the Department of Health and the HSE.

Unlike the appeals process, there has been no disruption to the actual assessment for the primary medical certificate which has gone on as normal.

It is acknowledged however that the ongoing challenges with putting in place a new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeals (DDMBA) have caused a significant amount of disruption in the overall system.

Progress has been made however in my efforts to convene a new DDMBA and to recommence the appeals process.

In this regard, I have now formally appointed all five members to the new DDMBA. Funding arrangements between the Department of Finance and the Department of Health have been agreed. On this basis the National Rehabilitation Hospital has confirmed they will again host the DDMBA. Preparatory work is underway, that will include due deliberation on how best to clear the backlog.

It is expected that appeal hearings will recommence in the first half of December 2023.

I appreciate that it has taken far longer than anticipated to get to this point. With the Department of Health we have had to run four Expression of Interest campaigns over 18 months to source the legislatively required five members. We have also had to re-negotiate new hosting arrangements with the NRH following their withdrawal of services in February 2023.

Finally, the Deputy should be aware that I have no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMCs and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Finance the updated position regarding the review of the disabled drivers’ and disabled passengers' scheme, in particular the criteria for the primary medical certificate; what stage the review is at; what steps have been taken since the publication of the working group report; what changes are being proposed; the timeframe for the implementation of the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52090/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that the final report of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) Transport Working Group's (TWG) review of mobility and transport supports which included the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS), endorsed proposals for a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicle adaptation scheme in line with international best practice that would replace the DDS, as it is no longer fit-for-purpose on any and all aspects. The proposals note this was a clear deliverable for the near future.

The NDIS TWG was chaired by Minister Anne Rabbitte and led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).

Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. Under the aegis of the Department of Taoiseach officials from relevant Departments and agencies are meeting to discuss the issues arising from the NDIS report and to map a way forward. My officials are proactively engaging with this Senior Officials Group work as an important step in considering ways to replace the DDS, as one specific personal transport response, in the context of broader Government consideration of holistic, multifaceted and integrated transport and mobility supports for those with a disability. A first meeting was held in July 2023 and a second meeting was held in early November. Department of Taoiseach officials are currently considering material supplied after the second meeting.

In that context, any further changes to the existing DDS, I believe would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme.