Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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292. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to review current restrictions on driving instruction; if there is updated public health advice to inform possible regulations on driving lessons moving forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14459/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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During the current level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may only conduct lessons in circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date.

My Department is very aware of the difficulty this poses to learners who are unable to avail of instruction because they have not yet completed the 12 lessons required to book a test.  As only limited services are being provided at present in order to minimise the spread of Covid, it was decided that driving instruction may continue as an essential service, but in extremely limited circumstances.

While I very much regret the inconvenience and frustration that this might cause to both learners and instructors,  I am sure the Deputy will agree that public safety must take priority here.