Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address an oversight with regard to the NDLS licensing arrangements in that licences which expired between March and June 2020 have a four-month grace period but licences expired in July 2020 or thereafter have no grace period but applicants cannot obtain appointments for renewal for up to a month due to the backlog; if has considered extending the grace period to applicants in July 2020 and thereafter until such time as the backlog is cleared and NDLS services are operating as normal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17305/20]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will extend the renewal deadline for category 2 driver licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17360/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 178 together.

The decision to extend the validity for learner permits for a further 4 months was taken to ease the pressure on the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) to allow for the prioritising of issuing of driving licences. However, extending the validity of driver licences for a further period is under consideration.

The National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) resumed services on Monday 8 June 2020. The service resumed on a gradual basis, and by Monday 29 June all NDLS centres, except Clifden and Belmullet, had reopened.

NDLS offices are unable to facilitate any walk-ins due to the social distancing requirements and in the interest of protecting the staff and customers, and therefore all appointments must be booked in advance. This, of course, has led to an increase in the demand for appointments.

The Road Safety Authority is working with their providers to see how they can increase capacity while adhering to the return to work safely protocol. Options include extended opening hours, overtime and protective segregation barriers between booths. Some applicants may be able to apply online. Details are available on the NDLS website.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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175. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to allow additional renewal time for driver licences expiring in July to September 2020 in view of the Covid-19 backlog; the online renewal options available to those without public services cards; if consideration will be given to providing the option of online renewals to those without a public services card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17315/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The possible extension of the validity of driver licences for a further period is under consideration.

To apply for, or renew, a driving licence you are required to present photographic ID, evidence of PPSN, evidence of address and evidence of residency entitlement. An applicant must present in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) office where the required documentation can be examined. Due to Covid 19 no walk in apppointments are available in the interest of the safety of staff and the public.

If you are renewing a driving licence or learner permit, and you are under 70 years and you do not have a truck or bus category on your driving licence/learner permit, you may be able to apply online. The same information mentioned above is required when accessing the online system, and the Public Services Card satisfies this requirement as the information has already been provided and verified by another Government department.

A MyGovID verified account is required to meet the Government policy of SAFE2 standard for ID verification, and such verification is required to access the online system. The Public Service Card meets this requirement.