Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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231. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the substantial waiting lists for driver tests due to the necessary cancellation of service during the Covid-19 pandemic; if he has met with representatives of the RSA to discuss ways in which this can be expedited; and if provision can be made for those that could be classified as urgent in terms of requiring a test. [23925/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The driver testing service restarted on a gradual basis during Phase 3 of the Government’s road map for easing of Covid19 restrictions.

On Monday 29 June, driving tests resumed on a gradual basis for trucks, buses and motorcycles (except for trucks in C1 and buses in D1 categories). Driving tests for cars, minibuses and vans resumed from the 16 July.

Essential workers and those who had appointments cancelled due to Covid 19 are being prioritised in the first instance. Initially, only those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. It must also be borne in mind that, due to social distancing guidelines, fewer daily tests will be conducted by each driver tester. Therefore, while there will be some availability for urgent tests, the RSA's capacity to make these available in all cases will be limited.

My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA, which is exploring how further to manage backlogs while prioritizing public health, and this process is being informed by lessons learned as centres operate under the new health restrictions.