Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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219. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide copies of all correspondence from the Road Safety Authority (details supplied) in relation to a matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37864/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Driving instructors are either self-employed or employed by driving schools, and my Department has no role in that business.

As I have previously advised Deputies, the Road Safety Authority is developing plans in an ongoing engagement with my Department over recent weeks for their various statutory functions to address the operational and financial consequences of the ongoing and dynamic national COVID response, as well as accompanying financial and staffing proposals, with a view to identifying what specific additional resources may be needed.

In particular, my Department has been engaging with the Road Safety Authority on the issue of addressing backlogs in the driver testing service due to the pandemic. As the Deputy will appreciate, this process may have staffing and financial implications which will require discussion with other Government Departments. I do not believe that it would be in the public interest to publish correspondence which is part of this process, because as long as the process is ongoing such correspondence would obviously be incomplete.

I may in due course consider publication in a suitable form of the final plans when concluded, subject to consultation with the RSA, and consideration of any commercial or other confidentiality requirements.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver tests that have been carried out at each driver test centre per day since 1 March 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37865/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Details on the number of driving tests per test centre are held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver testers employed by the State as of 16 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37866/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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This information is held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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222. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for driver tests here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37867/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Specific details on the number of persons awaiting a driver test are held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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223. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons that have dates for driver tests as of 16 November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37868/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The details requested are held by the Road Safety Authority - who have statutory responsibility for the operation of the test. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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224. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37878/20]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The scheduling of candidates’ driving tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases.

As I understand, the Road Safety Authority is prioritising driver testing for essential workers and has set up a dedicated email, urgentdrivingtest@rsa.ie, where applicants can request to be given priority and supply supporting documentation. These requests are prioritised during the scheduling process with cancellation slots being offered where possible.