Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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216. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the issue of long wait times for driver test dates to issue due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12628/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The driving test service is 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.

RSA driver testers are undertaking driving tests in extraordinarily difficult conditions in the current Covid-19 environment. The driving test is conducted in an enclosed space for a period of over 15 minutes, where physical distancing is not possible.

Given the significant risk to testers when conducting a driving test, Government has deemed that the driver testing service should be available ONLY for essential workers in Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions. The Road Safety Authority offers driving tests to those who can produce evidence that they are an essential worker, in accordance with Government definitions. No exceptions can be made.

My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to help the service meet the growing demand for tests within the current public health situation. An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. Recruitment has commenced and a panel will be formed. However, hiring of testers requires advertising, selecting candidates and training. Newly hired testers require 7 weeks of training in order to be ready. Training is given by experienced testers, so while new hires are in training the capacity of the service is reduced.

The RSA are also looking at a number of other measures, including whether the number of tests a driver tester can perform each day can be increased. Any decision on this matter will be guided by health protocols.

Until Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions have been eased, no progress can be made on addressing the backlog; however, the Road Safety Authority has plans in place for when the service is allowed to resume for all learner permit holders to be tested at the earliest possible date, and a gradual return of driving test times to their pre-Covid levels.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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217. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the issue of driver lessons not continuing during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12629/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Announcements made by An Taoiseach on the 23rd of February confirmed that level 5 restrictions are set to continue until the 5th of 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 and minimising social contact.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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218. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns among residents in Lucan, County Dublin due to the high volume of activity at Weston Airport; the restrictions in place on activity at the airport; and the measures in place to ensure all public health guidelines in relation to international travel are adhered to by those arriving into Ireland through the airport. [12638/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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At Level 5, the public health risk means that people are asked to stay at home, except for travel for work, education or other essential purposes. The operation of an airport is considered to be an essential service and as such Weston Airport is permitted to stay open to ensure essential activities continue. All public health regulations and guidelines must be strictly adhered to and operational procedures must be in line with HSE Covid procedures.

The Government continues to advise against non-essential international travel and that essential travel is undertaken with due regard to public health safety measures. Public health safety measures concerning international travel apply to all persons arriving in the State and do not differentiate between arrival by small private aircraft or large commercial aircraft.

The relevant Regulations SI 44 and SI 45 which were signed by the Minister for Health are available on the Government website:

The Department of Justice has advised that its Border Management Unit (BMU) recently contacted Weston Airport management reminding them of their obligations in relation to incoming flights from outside the State. This includes forwarding all relevant documentation (such as PLF and negative COVID 19 test results for all applicable arrivals) to Immigration Officers prior to the flight’s arrival. The BMU liaises with Weston Airport and other stakeholders such as An Garda Síochána regarding incoming flights on an ongoing basis.