Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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72. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the full resumption of driver theory tests is expected following the announcement on the phased reopening of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35319/21]

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 commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per 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 monthly, if public health guidance permits.

The further reopening of this service is currently under discussion The RSA, like all organisations and business must take its direction and guidance from the Government, the HSA, and the Department of Transport in relation to capacity restrictions for in-person services and therefore must adopt and implement all recommendations relating to the services which can be provided.

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.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional measures he will implement as a matter of urgency to ensure that delays in driver theory tests are reduced without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35367/21]

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 Service.

The Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for driving theory tests.

In line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and is now permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per 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 monthly, if public health guidance permits. The Driver Theory Test service provider has sourced an additional 40 temporary team members to support the expected increase in capacity to 50,000 in centre appointments when permitted to do so.

The RSA has been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already undertaken for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include car and motorbike tests and it is hoped that up to 10,000 tests will be conducted online in the coming months.

The theory test service provider has sourced 30 additional employees to manage the online testing facility. The tests are conducted under strict requirements in order to adequately verify the identity of candidates, and to ensure exams are completed in a secure manner, maintaining the integrity of the exam content and to prevent cheating or fraud. To replicate the highly secure nature of in-person testing, the on-line testing service requires live proctors to perform the required security and ID checks and monitor the theory tests in a live online environment.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that applicants for driver theory tests who had applied in 2020 do not have their appointments delayed due to more recent applicants getting priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35368/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The driver theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. Currently, theory tests have resumed up to a maximum of 25,000 monthly.

The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, and one in which I have no role.

This question is therefore 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.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding that has been allocated to the RSA to expand the driver theory test and driving testers. [35370/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation and the funding of both the Theory Test and Driving Test Services. These services have for many years been funded by the Authority from its own resources, including reserves as well as ongoing revenue, and no additional Exchequer funding has been required to date to fund them. The financial position of the Authority is monitored and reviewed by my Department on an ongoing basis and the question of additional Exchequer funding will be considered, in light of their financial position and that of the Exchequer, if and when the issue arises.

The Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for driving tests. An additional 40 temporary driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. The additional testers are expected to start testing by the end of June. In addition, sanction has recently been received to add a further 40 testers to that cohort.The Department will continue to monitor and review the situation.

In line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per 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 monthly, if public health guidance permits. The Driver Theory Test service provider has sourced an additional 40 temporary team members to support the expected increase in capacity to 50,000 in centre appointments when permitted to do so.

The RSA has also been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already undertaken for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include car and motorbike tests. The theory test service provider has sourced 30 additional employees to manage the online testing facility. The tests are conducted under strict requirements in order to adequately verify the identity of candidates, and to ensure exams are completed in a secure manner, maintaining the integrity of the exam content and to prevent cheating or fraud. It is hoped that the service provider will be able to deliver up to 10,000 theory tests online in the coming months.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applicants by age and county for the driver theory test. [35371/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The driver theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.

The information requested is held by the RSA.

This question is therefore 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.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in the RSA Mallow driving test centre in each category (details supplied); and the number of weeks candidates are on waiting lists for a test date broken down into four weeks tranches in tabular form. [35372/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.

The information requested is held by the RSA.

This question is therefore 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.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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78. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in the RSA Cork Wilton driving test centre in each category (details supplied); and the number of weeks candidates are on waiting list for a test date broken down into four weeks tranches in tabular form. [35373/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.

The information requested is held by the RSA.

This question is therefore 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.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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79. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons awaiting a driving test in the RSA Cork Ballincollig driving test centre in each category (details supplied); and the number of weeks candidates are on waiting list for a test date broken down into four weeks tranches in tabular form. [35374/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.

The information requested is held by the RSA.

This question is therefore 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.