Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
218. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of persons currently awaiting an appeal assessment under the primary medical certificate scheme; the average waiting time from the date an appeal is lodged to the completion of an appeal assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46802/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the measures being taken to reduce delays in the appeals process for the primary medical certificate; the status of proposals to provide appeal assessments in regional locations outside of Dublin; the expected timeline for the implementation of such arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46803/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has conducted an assessment on the additional hardship imposed on persons with significant physical disabilities who are required to travel considerable distances to Dublin for a primary medical certificate appeal assessment, often after lengthy waiting periods; the steps being taken to establish regional assessment locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46804/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra221. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of primary medical certificate appeals received in each of the past five years; the current size of appeals awaiting assessment per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46805/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra222. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if a review of the primary medical certificate appeals process is underway; the measures being considered to improve accessibility, reduce waiting times and ensure timely decisions for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46806/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra223. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of persons currently awaiting an appeal assessment under the primary medical certificate scheme; the average waiting time from the date an appeal is lodged to the completion of an appeal assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46807/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the measures being taken to reduce delays in the appeals process for the primary medical certificate; the status of proposals to provide appeal assessments in regional locations outside of Dublin; the expected timeline for the implementation of such arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46808/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out an assessment on the additional hardship imposed on persons with significant physical disabilities who are required to travel considerable distances to Dublin for a primary medical certificate appeal assessment, often after lengthy waiting periods; the steps being taken to establish regional assessment locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46809/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of primary medical certificate appeals received in each of the past five years; the current size of appeals awaiting assessment per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46810/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance whether a review of the primary medical certificate appeals process is underway; the measures being considered to improve accessibility, reduce waiting times and ensure timely decisions for applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46811/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226 and 227 together.
The Deputy should note at the outset that it is a legislative requirement that the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal (DDMBA) is independent in the exercise of its functions and it is a matter for the Board to determine all aspects of the management and delivery of the appeals process.
The DDMBA operates from the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dún Laoghaire, who provide facilities and secretarial services so that the Board can deliver the appeals process.
The Board does on occasion run regional clinics when appropriate facilities can be sourced on an ad-hoc basis and where there is sufficient demand for, and attendance at, such clinics. For instance, over the last 12 months clinics have been held in Cork and Galway. The location of alternative regional clinics for the DDMBA is kept under review by the Board.
The Board has informed me that, as of May 2026, there are 469 appellants on the waiting list. It should be noted that previous years has shown that a significant number of appellants do not proceed to an appeal hearing, for example due to declined or cancelled appointments. While data on the average waiting times is not currently available, the waiting list has been reduced since 2024, and the Board is working to address this as quickly as possible.
The tables below illustrate the number of appeals received by the DDMBA in each of the past five years and the current number of appellants awaiting an appeal hearing per county:
|
Year |
Number of New Appeals |
|
2022 |
377 |
|
2023 |
330 |
|
2024 |
343 |
|
2025 |
340 |
|
2026 to date |
241 |
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.
The Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or DDS is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual.
Under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, the sub-group convened to progress the National Disability Inclusion Strategy proposals for a needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the DDS, generated a report that was submitted to the Department of the Taoiseach. In considering this report, it has been proposed that a new grant-based scheme be developed and led by the Department of Transport.
The Department of Transport is beginning the development of this new scheme. The existing DDS remains with the Department of Finance and will continue to be reviewed in the context of new scheme developments by the Department of Transport.
As the Deputy will be aware, when this government took office, we committed to a step change in the delivery of supports and services for people with disability and their families.
Budget 2026 is the first step in delivering on this ambition, providing some €3.83 billion to specialist disability services next year, an unprecedented increase of €618 million, or almost 20%.
This funding will be vital in delivering the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. The commitment to develop a new scheme by the Department of Transport, and in this context review the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, are strong commitments in this strategy.
