Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mar is eol don Aire Stáit, bhí ionad páirtaimseartha sa Chlochán inár nDáilcheantar féin. Ó dúnadh é sin, bhí go leor de mhuintir Chonamara i dteagmháil liom mar gheall nach raibh siad in ann fáil ar sheirbhísí ceadúnais chomh héasca agus a bhíodh. Bíonn siad ag rá go bhfuil orthu dul isteach sa chathair, rud a thógann uair go leith. Dúirt bean amháin liom i ríomhphost go bhfuil timpeall 50 ríomhphost seolta aici chuig an NDLS le bliain anuas ag iarraidh an dáta ar a mbeidh an t-ionad NDLS a bhí i dTeach an Stáisiún ag athoscailt. Tuigeann sí go bhfuil ionad i nGaillimh ach tá sé uair go leith ó bhaile agus ceapann sí go bhfuil sé de cheart ag muintir Chonamara an tseirbhís a bhí á cur ar fáil dóibh sa Chlochán a fháil ar ais.

In our constituency, the Clifden NDLS part-time centre has remained closed since the start of the pandemic. This makes it very difficult for people in Connemara to renew their driving licences. Many of our constituents have been badly affected by this. I raised the matter in June 2021 and was told by the RSA that everyone can now renew their driving licence using the online system. That is not always the case, however. In order to avail of the online system, a PSC is required. Not everyone has that, nor is it a requirement to have one. Moreover, a PSC cannot be requested by any public or private body or person not included as a specified body in Schedule 5 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act. It is ridiculous that those in Connemara who are looking to get to an NDLS centre have to travel over an hour to Ballybrit to renew their driving licence. It is a major inconvenience. Although it was a part-time operation, the centre in Clifden was of massive benefit. It made it easier. We all know these administrative things can take a lot of time out of the day anyway. For those who are living in more rural, isolated areas it is essential to have a centre like the one in Clifden to make it easier for them to renew their licence rather than having to travel into the city.

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