Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being encountered by those with driver licences due to expire, to obtain an appointment to renew their licence due to the number of persons trying to obtain appointments as a result of the extension to their licences up to July 2020; the measures in place to ensure that persons that cannot obtain an appointment in a timely manner will have their licence extended in view of the fact they cannot drive while waiting for an appointment in cases where the appointment date is later than the expiry date; if the matter will receive urgent attention to ensure that those with expired or expiring licenses are given priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18657/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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A person renewing a driving licence or learner permit, that is under 70 years of age and does not have a truck or bus category on their licence, may be able to apply online. An applicant must be the holder of a Public Services Card (PSC) and a verified MyGovID account to make an application online. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is continuing work to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types. 

As you can appreciate Covid 19 has had a profound effect on the delivery of services. The National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) is operating at around 60% of its pre-Covid capacity to ensure that it complies with occupational and public health requirements. In the normal way this would lead to longer waiting times-however a number of measures are being considered to deliver extra capacity.

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

The Road Safety Authority is currently working with their providers to see how they can increase capacity while adhering to the return to work safely protocol. Options under consideration include extended opening hours, overtime and protective segregation barriers between booths. Some applicants may be able to apply online or by post.

Any queries in relation to driving licences or urgent cases can be addressed to the NDLS Customer Srvice at 0761087880 or by emailing info@ndls.ie