Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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269. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons currently waiting to take a driver theory test in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31547/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Theory Test.

The information requested is held by the Authority and this question is therefore being referred to them for direct reply.

I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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270. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address concerns in relation to the delays affecting persons waiting to take a driver theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31548/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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In line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres has now commenced. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) reopened its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per month.

Prior to COVID-19, the RSA provided 15,000 tests per month. In light of the significant backlog of customers, the RSA will gradually increase capacity in its test centres to 25,000 tests a month.

The test centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service. It is hoped that capacity will gradually increase to 50,000 tests per month over time, if public health guidance permits.

The RSA has been working to deliver an online theory test 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 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. From mid-June, the RSA plans to increase this by a further 6,000. Online services will be made more widely available towards the end of 2021.

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.