Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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284. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if persons resident in direct provision centres can apply for a driver licence or have driver licences from relevant jurisdictions converted to an Irish driver licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44564/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Currently, Ireland does not issue driving licences to applicants for international protection (asylum seekers) as their residence status in the State is not yet determined.

Having said that, as set out in the Programme for Government, the current policy not to allow applicants for international protection access to a driving licence will be changed. To provide for this, there are a number of complex legal, administrative and technical issues to consider and resolve.

Officials in my Department and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are working on these measures at present, but it is not possible to give a definitive date yet for when these changes will be in place. However, I can assure you that my officials are working hard, in close cooperation with all the stakeholders, to make this happen.