Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

249. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised regarding the introduction of a new appointment system at local offices of the National Drivers Licence Service; his views on a person's experience (details supplied) and the measures he will take to address and resolve the matter. [47572/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The new National Driver Licensing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and any queries regarding specific applications should be directed to the Authority.   

Under the terms of the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) became the national driver licensing authority as of January this year. Also with effect from 19 January, the new plastic card driving licence was introduced in all EU Member States. Between 19 January and 25 October, local authorities continued to provide customer services relating to driving licences on behalf of the RSA. On 29 October last, the RSA assumed full responsibility for the service.  I understand that there were some teething issues with the launch of the new national driver licensing service on Tuesday 29th October, which the RSA informs me have now been resolved.  

There has been a  high level of demand for the service since it opened.  The RSA has advised me that a number of solutions have been put in place to address the earlier difficulties experienced. These include the assignment of additional staff, the roll out of a further information campaign and the deployment of a manual booking system which applicants can avail of.

 I understand that the RSA is currently working with the Front Office contractor, SGS (Ireland) Ltd. to develop the online booking system which will be deployed across all of its offices within a month.  I have been assured that provision will be made for emergency situations where some capacity will be reserved for customers who need a licence at short notice.

In relation to the specific details of the incident described by your constituent, that is an operational matter for the RSA. I have forwarded it to them for direct reply. If a reply has not been received within ten days, please contact my private office.