Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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119. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to permit learner drivers who have already commenced the 12 lessons as part of the essential driver training course to complete this course under current restrictions given that some of those waiting to complete their lessons are essential front-line workers and they cannot sit their test until all 12 lessons are complete and only those who have a test date can book driving lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11234/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Announcements made by An Taoiseach on 23 February confirmed that level 5 restrictions are set to continue until 5 April, at which point the situation will be reviewed.

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

While I very much regret the difficulty this poses to learners who had previously commenced, but not yet completed, the 12 mandatory lessons required to book a test, I must remind the Deputy that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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120. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) will take their driver theory test given that it is essential for their continued employment and that previous scheduled tests have been cancelled three times putting their employment in jeopardy. [11237/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The scheduling of candidates’ driving theory tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have no information on individual cases.

The Driver Theory Test was not deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions, and the service has been closed since late December 2020. The service will remain closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I am sure you will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding of public health takes priority. We want to provide services, and we know that people are looking for services, but services can only be provided to the limit possible while preserving public health.

The RSA, together with its service provider, have put plans in place to significantly increase capacity within the service when it is allowed to re-open. To cope with the initial four-month suspension in 2020, the service increased capacity from an average pre Covid19 capacity of 15,000 to over 25,000 monthly. A plan is being progressed to increase this capacity up to 50,000 per month when service resumes, to manage the backlog of customers and shorten waiting times .

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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121. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of cancelled driver theory tests since the introduction of Covid-19 restrictions by centre in tabular form. [11238/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The details requested are held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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122. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver theory tests scheduled to take place between 23 February 2021 and the end of level 5 restrictions as currently set by centre in tabular form. [11239/21]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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123. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he plans to take to ensure that all those who have had driver theory tests cancelled as a result of Covid-19 restrictions will take the test in a reasonable timeframe as restrictions begin to be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11240/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 122 and 123 together.

The Driver Theory Test (DTT) is not operating during level 5 restrictions. There are therefore no tests scheduled for the period in question.

When the DTT Service closed in late 2020 due to the latest restrictions, the backlog arising from the first suspension (March to June 2020) had not yet been cleared. This, coupled with the need to significantly reduce normal daily capacity to comply with occupational and public health requirements, led to further delays for those wishing to take the DTT.

The DTT was not deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions, and the service has been closed since late December 2020. In-person services will remain closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. No exceptions will be made. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I am sure you will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding of public health takes priority.

The RSA, together with its service provider, have put plans in place to significantly increase capacity within the service when it is allowed to re-open. To cope with the initial four-month suspension, the service increased capacity from an average pre Covid-19 capacity of 15,000 to over 25,000 monthly. A plan is being progressed to increase this capacity up to 50,000 per month when service resumes, to manage the backlog of customers and shorten waiting times.

In addition to the increased capacity initiative, and at the request of the Department, the RSA is also working on a plan to roll out an online driver theory test service. This has been trialled on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses during the months of December and January. The pilot is now being evaluated and the RSA is committed to extending the service for all theory test customers during 2021. There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the service during the initial roll out phase but the objective is that it should be an option for all theory test customers during later phases of the roll out, in line with enhancing access to public services.However, scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.

As you can appreciate, the first priority has to be public safety – we want to provide services, and we know that people are looking for services, but services can only be provided to the limit possible while preserving public health.

The extension of Level 5 restrictions will impact on how quickly the backlog plan can be delivered and the position will be reviewed again when Level 5 is lifted .

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the work his Department has undertaken to date or plans to undertake to examine the online taking of driver theory tests given the current and growing backlog that exists. [11252/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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While this is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), my Department had previously requested that the Authority, as the body legally responsible for the driver theory test, examine whether theory tests can be taken on-line remotely and what is required to do so.

I am pleased to inform you that the Driver Theory Test service has launched a pilot phase of a new initiative, which offers a Remote Testing service for specific categories of Theory Test (C, D, CD, BMT, TMT, ADI, CPCB and CPCT).

During the pilot phase Remote Testing will be available on a limited basis and extra capacity will be added as it is rolled out to allow more customers to sit their bus, truck, Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) or Advanced Driver Instructor (ADI) Theory Test online. Remote Testing allows candidates to test from their home or another suitable environment once the minimum requirements for the service have been met.

Following a review of the pilot phase, the RSA expect the initiative to be extended for car and motorcycles. The RSA are keen to progress and extend the service to all categories of Driver Theory Test, however scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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125. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the position of young learner drivers concerning driver licences and public services cards, in which learner drivers cannot review their driver test booking or access the portal without a MyGovID account, such accounts cannot be verified without a public services card and no bookings are being taken for public services cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11277/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The driving test and driver licencing services are not currently operating as normal due to the impact of Covid-19.Tests are only available, under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions, to essential workers. This has had a significant impact on waiting times. A Public Service Card is not required to book a driving test or to access the RSA Customer Portal.

To renew a learner permit or driving licence, you are required to present photographic ID, evidence of PPSN, evidence of address and evidence of residency entitlement. An applicant can normally present in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) office where the required documentation can be examined and a face to face verification can be made. However, this service is restricted to essential workers only during Level 5.

When applying online, the same information is required and the challenge of verifying a person’s identity is more difficult than when someone presents in person at an NDLS office. A verified MyGovID account, which requires a Public Service Card (PSC), satisfies this requirement.

The PSC is a way to streamline the identification process across all public services, making application for all services easier for everyone, and taking away unnecessary burdens from the citizen and the State. The intention is that people will need to go through the cumbersome process of providing documents to prove their identity only once - for the PSC - and then be able to use that card as an ID for a wide range of public services. More particularly, if people are to have confidence in using public services online, they need to have an verified and authenticated online identity and MyGovID, building on the PSC, gives people that confidence and the means to access services online.

The Department of Social Protection is responsible for issuing Public Service Cards.