Primary medical certificate system
Deputy Moynihan said the primary medical certificate system is failing, with no functioning appeals process and no workable mechanism despite recent legislation. The Tánaiste said the Finance Minister is working on new board appointments and a long-term solution, and promised further detail in writing.
Issues surrounding the primary medical certificate are raised week after week by the groups who appear before the Joint Committee on Disability Matters. There is an intransigence in the system. The appeals board resigned a few months ago. There is no mechanism for appeals. A court case was taken in June 2020 and new legislation was passed but the system does not seem to be working. On behalf of the committee and on my own behalf, I would like raise the future of the primary medical certificate and how we are going to make it more adaptable to ensure the people who really need it are being targeted.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy. I understand the Minister for Finance is working on that at the moment, both in terms of putting new members on the board and coming up with a long-term solution because it is important that we get that system up and running again. I will ask the Minister to provide more details to the Deputy in writing.