Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered the safety arrangements being put in place by driving schools; if this important service can be fitted into the roadmap of levels for safe activities as an essential service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1167/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The provision of driving instruction has been defined as an essential service in legislation introduced last October by my colleague, the Minister for Health.

Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons under level 5 restrictions, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date.

With regard to making appropriate safety arrangements, I would like to clarify to the Deputy that driving instructors and driving schools are entirely independent operators and neither the Road Safety Authority nor my Department can dictate how they run their individual businesses.  It is up to each driving instructor or driving school to protect themselves, their families and their customers by adhering to the official Government guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.