Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 635: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied with the present arrangements relating to the standards and requirements to be a professional driving instructor; the benefits of this new policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31167/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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There are many measures necessary to promote safety on our roads and I believe that having standards for professional driving instructors is one of them. The existence of a recognised standard, through the regime of registering Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) is also beneficial for the industry and ensures that rogue operators are kept out of the system. The existing standards and requirements for ADIs, which were introduced in 2009, are, of course, open to consideration and review. Following a process of examination of how these standards are operating, the Road Safety Authority, which is responsible for overseeing the ADI system, has recently made a number of proposals to adjust and improve the system. My Department is examining these proposals at present and I expect to be in a position to decide on them in the near future.

I consider it important that systems such as the ADI regime should be subject to periodic review and I remain open to considering other adjustments to the system as and when they may become necessary.