Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in the new centralised driver licensing system; if the concerns of the photography industry will be taken on board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41818/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The new centralised driver licensing system, under which the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will take over from the local authorities as the sole national driver licensing authority, will come into effect in January 2013.  The necessary legislation to enable this to occur was passed earlier this year.

The new system will involve a central unit in the RSA and three outsourced contracts dealing with: card production; a 'back office' service processing applications; and a 'front office' service to engage with customers.  While the new system will come on stream from January, there will be a transition period for a few months in 2013, during which the local authorities will continue to carry out some driver licensing functions on behalf of the RSA. 

My Department has been working closely with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, the RSA and the local authorities to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.

In regard to the issue of photo-capture for the new plastic card format of licence, I understand that the RSA are asking tenderers for the front office service to offer their own proposals.  As in any outsourcing process, the RSA must follow public procurement rules.  As a general principle, State agencies are expected to find the most cost-efficient way of doing business in order to deliver maximum value for money for the public.  As I have indicated, nothing has been predetermined in terms of what kind of photo-capture will be involved in the new system.