Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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574. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to deal with the backlog of driver tests; and when instructors will resume lessons. [10036/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Dates for the resumption of Road Safety Authority (RSA) services, and any special arrangements which will need to be put into place to allow for the provision of these services, will be determined having regard to the guidance of the relevant public health authorities.

The RSA, in planning to reopen driver testing services, will consider all factors, including the backlog of people waiting for tests. I should emphasise that the reopening of the driving test will involve particular difficulties in complying with health guidelines. I therefore anticipate that the driving test will not resume until phase 4 of the Government's Roadmap for reopening the country.

Driving instruction is a private business and not a State service. It wil be a matter for driving instructors to examine how they can operate in compliance with public health guidelines. As workplaces, they may be subject to inspection by the Health and Safety Authority.