Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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342. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if initial basic training motorcycle lessons can go ahead as normal given that IBT can provide two metres social distance in classrooms while wearing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and while out in the compound would be wearing full PPE gear as in helmet with visor, gloves, boots and so on and all communication can be done through bluetooth headphones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19002/21]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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343. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when driver lessons will resume for essential workers in need of acquiring a driver licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19003/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.

The provision of driving instruction has been defined in legislation introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Health, as an essential service that may continue under level 5 restrictions, albeit in extremely limited circumstances.

Both Essential Driver Training (EDT) for cars and Initial Basic Training (IBT) for motorcycles are currently 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 I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses to learners who have not yet completed their training, I must remind the Deputy that this decision was reached in line with official National Public Health Emergency (NPHET) advice that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home and keeping social contacts to an absolute minimum.

Officials in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are working hard to ensure that both EDT and IBT can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.