Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) will be able to sit their driver theory test. [25228/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Road Safety Act and as provided by the Oireachtas, the driver testing service, including the theory test, is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. Individual cases are a matter for the Authority and the question in relation to this case is being referred to it for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a theory test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25232/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Road Safety Act and as provided by the Oireachtas, the driver testing service, including the theory test, is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. Individual cases are a matter for the Authority.

The Driver Theory Test is considered a non-essential service and remains closed for now. The Department understands the frustration at this decision, however, these restrictions imposed by the Government based on the advice of NPHET and their panel of scientific experts, are in place to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on this country and its people.

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

Because the service was closed for long periods of time over the last year, a large backlog of customers has built up. To deal with the backlog, the RSA have plans to increase capacity when it is allowed to re-open. This additional capacity will see the number of tests increase from an average pre Covid19 output of 15,000 tests per month to 50,000 per month. This will help significantly to tackle the backlog.

The RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. A pilot online driver theory test is underway for trucks and buses. This will be extended to car drivers, initially with 3,200 online tests being conducted per month. Online services will be made more widely available towards the end of 2021.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Enniscorthy, County Wexford is to be considered as a venue for a pop-up driver testing centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25251/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Road Safety Act and as provided by the Oireachtas, the driver testing service is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. The question in relation to location of centres is being referred to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.