The number of people waiting to be assessed by the Disabled Drivers' Medical Board of Appeal for the purposes of tax concessions on vehicles now numbers more than 400, the board's highest ever caseload. This has caused long delays and a large backlog.
However, a spokesperson from the Department of Finance, which has overall responsibility for the Disabled Drivers' and Disabled Passengers' (Tax Concessions) Scheme, said the long waiting list was partly due to "the significant number of persons" who knew they did not meet the medical criteria, but who insisted on being assessed by the appeals board.
Those applying for disabled driver status or for disabled passenger assistance are first assessed by their health board, but they have a right to appeal the health boards' decision to the independent Disabled Drivers' Medical Board of Appeal.
Applicants are assessed under various criteria, including lack of use of legs and arms, difficulty of movement and certain medical conditions.
According to the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), the appeals mechanism is important, particularly for those with progressive neuron diseases, as their situation may have changed from when they were first assessed.Cases are over-turned, they said.
Drivers with a disability faced extra costs, whether for an automatic car or adaptations.
Elderly carers of spouses and children also depended on the passenger concessions to buy extra equipment when they were no longer able to lift their charges in and out of the vehicles, Mr Tony Maher, transport manager for the IWA, explained.
Eligible drivers are entitled to what can amount to one-third of the cost of a new car in terms of VAT and VRT refunds. They are also entitled to VAT back on fuel and do not pay road tax.