Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when driver theory tests will recommence; and his plans to deal with the backlog. [28757/21]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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98. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the date driver theory tests will resume; the number of applicants who are in the backlog; and if the online driver theory test (details supplied) will be used to address the backlog. [28780/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.

The driver theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. Information regarding the number of applicants and backlogs are held by the Authority. This part of the question 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.

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.

From the start, it has been clear that the first priority is public safety. We want to provide services, and we know people are looking for services but we will provide them only to the limit possible while preserving public health.

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 approximately 15,000 tests per month up to 50,000 per month, subject to health assurances. This will help significantly to tackle the backlog.

The RSA has been working to deliver an online service, with a pilot online test already underway for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include a limited number of car and motorbike tests.

The new offering online will see 4,000 online theory tests available for all categories of vehicles per month. Tests are available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis with the new online service becoming more widely available later in the year. Once the online service is established, all customers will be able to opt to do the test online.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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99. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an online driver theory test service (details supplied) being employed for all theory test types; and the future phrases of the roll-out schedule for 2021. [28781/21]