Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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68. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if online certificate of professional competence, CPC, courses for heavy goods vehicles, HGV, drivers are being offered in view of level 5 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2201/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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At the current time the RSA does not facilitate on-line Driver CPC training. EU Directive 2003/59/EC which introduced Driver CPC was updated in 2018 (EU Directive 645 of 2018) and while the amended directive allows for the use of ICT tools such as e-learning and blended learning as part of CPC training, a substantial amount of the training will be required to be completed in an approved Driver CPC training centre.

The RSA believes that delivering some part of the training online is the way forward and it is their intention to consult with the industry, including all Driver CPC training organisations to establish how training can be enhanced and improved within the scope of the opportunities provided for in the EU legislation. It is hoped that this review will start in early 2021.