Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1053: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will reconsider the essential driver training scheme due to the fact that there are issues concerning the sponsor's role under this scheme. [23219/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Last April I introduced the Essential Driver Training (EDT) scheme, which is one component of the Graduated Driver Licensing Scheme (GDLS) developed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) during 2010. EDT means that learner drivers are for the first time required to take a comprehensive series of lessons with Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) which will cover the entire range of skills necessary for driving. I believe this is a major step forward which will help to improve road safety for all, especially for younger drivers.

As part of GDLS, the RSA aims to strengthen the role of the accompanying driver in the learning process. The practice which learner drivers do with a qualified driver - referred to as the sponsor - should be recorded in the log book issued as part of EDT. I am aware of the concerns of ADIs regarding this aspect of EDT. However, the role of the sponsor is not mandatory, beyond the pre-existing rule that learners must not drive unaccompanied. Lessons alone, without practice and experience, will not produce good drivers. Before EDT, learner drivers were not required to undertake any lessons and were gaining their skills by practising with an experienced accompanying driver. Now they will learn driving skills with a qualified ADI and practice them in the company of an experienced driver. The sponsor's role is simply putting on a regular footing something which was already happening, and should reinforce rather than undermine the mandatory lessons.

EDT will be subject to re-evaluation after two years to see what improvements, if any, may be needed to the scheme, and ADIs' contribution will of course be crucial to this process.