Moynihan calls for urgent action to resolve Primary Medical Cert backlog to aid independent travel

Published on: 14 April 2021


Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan is dismayed that backlogs are continuing to hinder disabled drivers and this needs to be resolved as a matter of urgency.   

“Disabled drivers need to be on the road so they can carry out their normal day to day activities,” Deputy Moynihan stated.    

Following a Supreme Court decision in June 2020, the assessment process for Primary Medical Certificates was suspended. The HSE were subsequently instructed to recommence assessments from 1st January 2021.   

Deputy Moynihan commented, “There are still ongoing delays in the processing of assessments, and this is causing a lot of undue strain on applicants. With the current pandemic, independent, private travel is more important than ever – particularly for everyone who avails of this scheme.   

“Without these certificates, their independence has been curtailed. This is an issue that I have raised on a number of occasions and I will continue to push for action to help these drivers.”   

Deputy Moynihan added: “I have asked the Minister for Health what measures are being taken to deal with this unacceptable backlog.”   

The Cork North West TD was told by the Minister that the HSE has confirmed that it is continuing to monitor the situation in the context of resuming the range of services that are provided by Community Medical Doctors under the HSE Service Recovery and Restoration Plan, taking into account the pressures and challenges to the health services presented by Covid.