Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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674. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when driver instruction can take place once again. [12846/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As outlined in the revised Roadmap announced by Government, driving tests and instruction may resume from this week starting 29 June.  

Driving lessons are provided privately and are not a State service.  As a private company, a driving school must ensure that they can comply with the necessary public health requirements before they can reopen their businesses. The National Return to Work Safely Protocol was developed by NPHET in consultation with national experts.

I expect a driving school to encounter the same difficulties as the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in terms of complying with the requirements of this Protocol.  The resumption of both driver testing  and driver instruction raise particular problems in terms of compliance with the Protocol and in particular social distancing rules, as both scenarios require the learner and either the tester or instructor to be within a two metre distance continuously for a period in excess of 20 minutes.

In light of this, I understand that, while driving instructors are responsible for their own compliance with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol, the RSA are advising Authorised Driving Instructors (ADIs) of their plans for resumption, including the protocols they are using, to assist ADIs in their work.

I understand that any company which reopens is subject to inspection by Health and Safety Authority, and may face serious sanctions, including closure, if found to be not in compliance with Covid-19 requirements. 

The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time, whether from infection or from deaths and injuries on the road, and in this as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis, my Department will be guided by NPHET and national experts.