Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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382. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position on the delays being experienced by essential workers who have applied to sit a driving test (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1354/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Under Covid19 Level 5 Government restrictions, candidates can attend their scheduled driving test appointment provided they are involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. Details on what is included in the list of and can be found at 

The Road Safety Authority has advised it has set up a dedicated webform for essential workers at https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Request-an-urgent-driving-test/.  This webform will allow customers to assess whether they qualify for an urgent test appointment and if so, to submit an application for same. If the applicant’s request is accepted, they will be placed on a short notice list and may be called for a test with as little as one days’ notice.

Because the RSA can only test essential workers at this time, there is currently surplus capacity in the system.  Any essential worker, within the terms of the public health regulations, who applies for a test should not encounter any undue delays in obtaining an appointment.