Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason driver testers are taking only six tests per day instead of eight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35524/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) developed protocols for conducting the driving test safely during the pandemic, following detailed consideration and medical advice. Due to the additional hygiene and sanitation procedures that are now absolutely necessary, each testing slot now takes a much longer time to complete. As a result, the number of tests a tester can safely conduct per day was reduced from eight to five when the service reopened. Following experience of managing the tests under Covid restrictions, this was increased to six in mid-September.

My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA who are examining ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints.