Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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564. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons awaiting the national car test since the closure of centres; the location of those waiting by county in tabular form; and his plans for the resumption of the national car test. [9964/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services.

I am pleased to confirm the phased re-opening on NCT centres from Monday 8 June in line with Phase 2 of the of the Government roadmap for easing Covid 19 restrictions and the national return to work safety protocol. Further information is availalbe at www.ncts.ie and www.rsa.ie

The operation of the National Car Test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, I have therefore referred the question regarding individual test statistics 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.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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565. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will open temporary national car test and driver test centres to deal with waiting lists in relation to both matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9967/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services.

I am pleased to confirm the phased re-opening of the National Car Test centres from Monday 8 June, in line with Phase 2 of the Government roadmap for the easing of Covid 19 restrictions and the national return to work safety protocol. Further information is availalbe at www.ncts.ie and www.rsa.ie

A date for the resumption of driver testing services is currently being examined. However, the resumption of driver tests raises particular difficulties due to the need to have two people in close proximity in a confined space, for a considerable periond of time. I anticipate for this reason that the driving test may be one of the last of the RSA services to resume, most likely in Phase 5 of the Government roadmap.