Disabled drivers left deeply frustrated as Medical Board of Appeal remains empty

INDEPENDENT Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan has, once again, raised the issue of the backlog of over 1,000 disabled applicants seeking a primary medical certificate.

Despite acknowledgement by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, during Leaders Questions in July, that the backlog has “gone on for far too long”, Deputy Nolan feels that the situation remains unchanged. The backlog has been occurring since November 2021, when all members of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal resigned.

The primary medical certificate scheme provides relief from vehicle tax registration and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant, open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or passenger. In order to qualify for this relief, the applicant must hold a primary medical certificate issued by the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal.

“There has been no movement on this issue whatsoever as far as I can see”, stated TD Carol Nolan. “I am told directly by those involved on the receiving end of the application process that they have heard absolutely nothing from the Department of Finance in terms of efforts to reconstitute the Board of Appeal or even to re-examine the eligibility criteria, which the Tánaiste himself accepted in July were ‘particularly narrow’.

“This is having a terrible impact on constituents in both Laois and Offaly who are deeply frustrated and, indeed, insulted by the lack of action.

“The fact that there has been no action for 1,000 plus disabled applicants nationally, who are having their autonomy and independence denied to them, is nothing short of a disgrace.

“I am engaging with the Minister for Finance to try and have this matter prioritised. This is no way to treat our disabled family and friends who simply want to get on with their lives with a modicum of dignity,” she said.