Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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279. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the initial basic training for motorcyclists will resume; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16803/21]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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286. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the difficulties that essential workers currently experience in trying to secure a full driver licence, as they are exempt from the Covid-19 related ban on taking a driving test but are unable to do so due to the fact the current restrictions make it difficult to complete the mandatory 12 driver lessons in advance; if he will take steps to ensure that essential workers can complete their required number of lessons in order that they can take the test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16896/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 286 together.

Under current level 5 restrictions both Essential Driver Training (EDT) for cars and Initial Basic Training (IBT) for motorcycles are suspended. Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons to both driving and motorcycle learners, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already completed their required modules and has been scheduled a test date.

While my Department is fully aware of the difficulties that this poses for essential workers who have not yet completed their 12 EDT or IBT lessons, I must emphasise 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 and minimising social contacts in so far as is possible.

Officials both in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that EDT and IBT can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.