Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the NDLS will provide a further extension for driver licences for six months or until the current backlog is cleared and more appointments become available in view of the difficulty for persons in renewing licences such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if documentary applications will be accepted by way of registered post. [21636/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am aware of the difficulties the Deputy refers to and my officials are working with the Road Safety Authority, which is responsible for the National Driving Licence Service, to identify and bring forward a range of possible responses that are consistent with the national and EU legal frameworks.

All driving licences that have expired or will expire between 1 March and 31 August 2020 have been extended for 7 months. This extension has been granted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the disruption it has caused to licensing services delivered by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The extension will ease the pressure on the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), free up appointment slots and make it easier to find those slots at local centres. This brings Irish national law in line with EU legislation.

An application to renew a driving licence can be made no more that 3 months before the date of expiry of the licence.

The RSA is working with their providers to see how they can increase capacity while adhering to the return to work protocol. Options under consideration include extended opening hours, overtime and protective segregation barriers between booths. Work is also continuing to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types in a manner that does not undermine the existing legal framework or the effective operations of the stakeholders involved.

Ms Mahoney should be able to get all the relevant information on www.ndls.ie or she can also email lqueries@rsa.ie.