Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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611. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1671 of 17 September 2014, the reason for the very low number of drivers surrendering their driving licences in circumstances where they have been disqualified from driving after having received the maximum number of penalty points. [36480/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In circumstances where a person reaches the penalty point threshold of 12 points, or 7 points or more for first time learner permit holders from 1 August 2014, a notification issues to the person from the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) of my Department informing them that they must surrender their driving licence to the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS). In addition to this notification, a notice is issued to the licensing authority and An Garda Síochána informing them of each individual penalty point disqualification to ensure that they are aware of the disqualification as well as the driver.

It is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, as the licensing authority to ensure that those drivers who have been disqualified surrender their licence to the NDLS.  I will however ensure that this matter be considered in the context of the Penalty Points working group with a view to ensuring that the most effective arrangements are put in place to ensure that all licences are surrendered.

I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the RSA and have asked it to respond to the Deputy directly. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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612. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1671 of 17 September 2014, in respect of the reference to the fact that the non-surrender figures may be overstated because driving licences may have been surrendered to motor tax offices, if he will indicate where statistics might be available on the number of driving licences which were surrendered to motor tax offices in each year; and if there is a system of liaison in place between the national vehicle driver file and the motor tax office network to keep track of all driving licences surrendered. [36481/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act, 2002 my Department issues notification to licence holders in relation to the endorsement of penalty points and if the number of points equals or exceeds 12 the notice specifies the period of disqualification from driving and directs the licence holder to submit his/her licence to the licensing authority that granted the licence.

At the same time, by administrative process, my Department issues a notice concerning the disqualification to An Garda Síochána and the relevant licensing authority. It is a matter for the licensing authority to pursue the licence holder with regard to the surrender of the licence in similar fashion to the arrangements where surrender is required in respect of other non-penalty points related disqualifications.

The NVDF system facilitates entry of licence surrender details directly by licensing authorities. My Department is in communication with motor tax offices with a view to obtaining details of any surrendered licences which may not have been recorded on the NVDF system and arrangements will be made to supply the Deputy with the information provided. It will  be appreciated that motor tax offices are no longer licensing authorities for driving licences and many of the disqualifications are now historic.  The RSA is now the single licensing authority for driving licences for the country since October 2013 and this will facilitate more precise monitoring with regard to surrendered licences.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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613. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1671 of 17 September 2014, in instances where the national vehicle driver file does not contain a record of licences surrendered by drivers to motor tax offices, the way these drivers are informed when their driving licences are due to be returned to them. [36482/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In all instances where driving licences are surrendered to a licensing authority, at the end of the period of disqualification matters regarding the return of the driving licence are appropriate to the relevant licensing authority. In accordance with Section 3(2) of the Road Traffic Act 2002 my Department issues a notice to the relevant drivers on the ending of the period of disqualification and of the removal of the penalty points from the records on the NVDF system.