Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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103. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for asylum seekers to obtain a driver licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6333/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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 the Deputy that my officials are working hard, in close cooperation with all the stakeholders, to make this happen.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driver licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6339/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Specific details on an individual's application are held by the Road Safety Authority.

I am therefore passing the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply. If a reply has not been received within 10 working days, the Deputy should contact my office.