Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1037: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reply to a matter (details supplied) regarding an eye test for over 70 years when applying for their driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23090/11]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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It is standard practice across the EU and internationally for driving licensing laws to provide for routine medical and eyesight reports for older drivers. The cut-off point in Ireland has been fixed at age 70 since these rules were first introduced in 1964. The reason why a medical practitioner rather than an optician is specified is that the level of testing envisaged is meant to pick up not only deterioration in visual acuity but also incipient age-related ocular disease. I appreciate that this involves a cost to individuals, but I believe it is necessary in terms of road safety, and also beneficial to the individuals undergoing these tests. I would also like to point out that a person over the age of 70 is not required to pay a fee to renew their licence. As the fee for a licence to drive a car is currently €85, this represents a significant saving to the applicant. The level of medical costs is, of course, not a matter for my Department.