Written answers
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Department of Finance
Tax Reliefs
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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297. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 1 February 2024, the status of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal; the number of appeal hearings that have taken place since the Board recommenced its work; the number of outstanding appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14355/24]
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have now formally appointed all five members to the new Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) and appeal hearings recommenced in the first half of December 2023.
I appreciate that it has taken longer than anticipated to get to this point. In this regard four Expression of Interest campaigns had to be run over 18 months to source the legislatively required five members. Officials have also had to re-negotiate new hosting arrangements with the National Rehabilitation Hospital following their withdrawal of services in February 2023.
As of 27 March 2024 there are 793 appellants on the waiting list. 283 appellants have been assessed since the appeals process recommenced. The Board has prioritised the waiting list using clinically-based criteria. The DDMBA are working to address the backlog as quickly as possible.
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