Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important matter. I also thank the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Ciarán Cannon, for coming to the House.

As the Minister of State will be aware, the National Driving Licence Service has opened an office in Ballybrit. Many people continue to travel to the county hall on Prospect Hill to inquire about driver licences or renew existing licences. This service ceased in the county hall in November last and is now provided by the office located in Ballybrit. People find it difficult to find the new office, which has resulted in Galway County Council's decision to produce a map featuring directions from the city centre to the Ballybrit office. Signage in Ballybrit is poor and many motorists who have travelled long distances to Galway find it difficult to locate it.

There is a ruling, however, that one must apply in person at the National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, in Ballybrit. The signage for the centre could be much better. The question arises as to why people have to travel to a centre to appear in person to make an application. Galway is the second largest county and members of the public, particularly those from outside of the city and elderly rural residents who are not familiar with Ballybrit, find it difficult to go to the office when they are used to the old city centre licensing office. It has been suggested an express postal service, similar to that for passport applications, could be put in place, with the added security of the photograph for an application being verified by a garda’s signature. I hope such a service could be put in place as it would be practical, efficient and ensure people would not have to travel long distances to attend the NDLS offices in person.

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