Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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301. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will consider adjusting the essential worker and non-essential worker criteria for driver tests in order to speed up clearing the backlog of tests before the end of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32070/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Road Safety Authority is prioritising driving tests for essential workers, in accordance with Government definitions. The definition of an essential worker is notdetermined by my Department nor the Road Safety Authority. Details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets can be found at www.gov.ie.

In line with the gradual reopening of services, driving tests for all those who are eligible to take the test and have been waiting longest have recommenced in a limited fashion. The further opening of the driver testing service will be the subject of discussions between Department officials and the RSA in the coming weeks.