Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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427. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average waiting time at the National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, centre in Trim, County Meath in 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14763/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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428. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by numerous service users of the NDLS centre in Trim, County Meath regarding the long waiting times they are facing when attending the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14764/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The National Driver Licence Service, NDLS, are currently experiencing significantly increased demand due to the number of people wishing to exchange their UK driving licence for an Irish licence before Brexit.

Extra resources are being put in place and many NDLS centres have extended their opening hours, by opening an hour earlier at 8 a.m. in the morning, and closing at 6 p.m. or 6.30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. in the evening, resulting in a total of 220 extra opening hours this week across the network across the country. The extra opening hours are helping to meet demand. Priority is being given to UK licence exchanges with 38 staff working on UK licence exchange alone. Up to 600 licence exchanges are being processed daily.

When attending any of the 36 NDLS centres nationally for any reason, to apply for a learner permit or a driving licence, or to exchange a driving licence, it is recommended that an appointment be made. Due to the demand for UK licence exchanges, it may not be possible to make an appointment in time before 12 April deadline. The NDLS also provides approximately 1,300 slots per day for walk-in appointments. There will be a longer wait time for walk-ins, but I am in formed that no-one has been turned away from a centre and that the queues are not too long. The walk-in slots equate to about 50% of the total slots available. Walk-in visits are encouraged before 11 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to avoid peak times. Details of the centres’ opening hours are available on www.ndls.ie.

Booking availability has been increased from 4 to 6 weeks ahead to facilitate those who may be renewing a licence or learner permit and are not in an immediate rush. This has helped to reduce the pressure and allow more walk-in slots for exchange applications.