Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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283. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide a timeframe for the resolution of appeals by the Disabled Drivers Board of Appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32251/25]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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284. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide a timeframe for the resolution of appeals by the Disabled Drivers Board of Appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32252/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 284 together.

The Deputy should note at the outset that the Disabled Drivers Board of Appeal (DDMBA) is independent and wholly determines the approach and methods for the appeals process as set out in legislative requirements. This independent approach also applies to the timeframe of its work. I understand that a validation system has been put in place to ensure the figures for those requiring an appeal hearing remain accurate. The validation process has removed 444 individuals from the waiting list as they no longer required an appeal hearing. As of the end of May 2025, there are 423 appellants on the waiting list, from an opening total in December 2023 of 1,091 appellants.

At an appeal hearing the Board reviews the decision by a HSE Primary Medical Officer and determines if an appellant does, or does not meet, one of the six medical criteria. Only if an appellant meets one of the six eligibility criteria will the Board issue a Board Medical Certificate.

I have no role in relation to the granting or refusal of PMC's and the HSE and the Medical Board of Appeal must be independent in their clinical determinations.