Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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1236. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the national driver licence service and its operation to date, particularly in the context of the waiting time relating to the processing of applications. [12993/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). As I have previously indicated to the House, there were some initial teething problems when the NDLS was launched in late October of last year, and these led to some unacceptable delays in processing driver licence applications, which developed over the first few weeks of the new service.  I met with the acting CEO of the RSA at the time to discuss this, and the RSA introduced a number of measures to address the problem.

I understand that the NDLS is now processing applications within eight to thirteen days, in cases where there are no problems in the application, that is to say, in cases where the NDLS does not have to contact the applicant for clarification or additional documentation.  The NDLS assures me that it is on course to have a 5-8 day turnaround for non-problematic applications by the beginning of April.

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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1237. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way the current operators of the national driver licence service will hold responsibility for the service; when the contract relating to the service will next be up for renewal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12994/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The operation of the National Driver Licensing Service, including the contracting process for outsourced providers, is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.  I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.