Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that essential worker learner drivers cannot complete their mandatory EDT lessons if they do not have a driver test date booked and cannot book a driver test without the 12 mandatory EDT lessons complete; if he will address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8730/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The provision of driving instruction has been defined in legislation introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Health, as an essential service that may continue under level 5 restrictions, albeit in extremely limited circumstances.

Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons , but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already completed their required modules and has been scheduled a test date.

While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses to learners who have not yet completed their training, I am sure the Deputy will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding of public health must take first priority here. It is critically important that everyone in Ireland adhere to public health advice to stay at home where possible unless it is absolutely essential to go out.