Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. These are very important questions, especially now that we are in level 5. A number of services, including the driving test service, the National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, the driver theory test and the national car test, NCT, are considered essential services. However, there is a backlog and many Deputies have been in contact with the Department about it. Due to health protocols, we had to shut down driver testing in February. There are health concerns about someone sitting in someone else's car, which is an uncontrolled environment, so we had to reduce the number of driving tests taking place every day. I have been assured this is an essential service and we will be prioritising essential workers getting tests and licences. If someone is an essential worker and is waiting for a new driving test appointment, he or she can email urgentdrivingtest@rsa.ie and he or she will be prioritised. Anyone who has an appointment is advised to go to the test centre. It is an essential service. People should not cancel that appointment unless they cannot attend. Obviously if they cannot attend, they should cancel because there is a huge waiting list. All those services are seen as essential.

The RSA stated last week than anyone over 70 does not have to present in person to the NDLS to renew a licence. If a person's licence is about to expire and he or she is over 70, he or she will be sent an application pack in the post. People do not have to contact the NDLS but if they already have an appointment online, they should cancel that and return the application by post. They do not have to present.

I will come back to the Deputy with the specifics on his other questions.