Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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128. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to a situation whereby driving schools have been instructed to give lessons only to essential workers with dates booked but essential workers cannot book their test without completing the 12 weeks essential driver training course. [6545/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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During level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. I understand that this causes difficulty in certain situations as candidates cannot book a test until they have completed all 12 lessons. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, it was decided, in a climate where only limited services are being provided in order to reduce the spread of Covid, that driving instruction cancontinue as an essential service, but only in extremely limited circumstances.

While I regret the inconvenience caused, public safety is of paramount importance.