David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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214. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he received correspondence (details supplied); and if he will advise on the matter. [19100/20]

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 its providers to see how it 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.

I understand from the correspondence that the person in question has an appointment this week to renew her licence, and has availed of the NDLS Customer Service ( 0761087880 / email: info@ndls.ie) to state her dissatisfaction of the delays and late notification. My officials have taken note of the points raised.

Queries in relation to driving licences can also be addressed directly to the Road Safety Authority at lqueries@rsa.ie.  

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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215. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if applications for the renewal of driver licences for vulnerable or at-risk groups that require a letter from a doctor can be made available for online application. [19150/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Currently the online driving licence application service does not provide for the uploading of supporting documentation such as medical reports. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is working to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types, which would facilitate those requiring medical reports, in a manner that does not undermine the existing legal framework or the effective operations of the stakeholders involved.