Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if social care workers are classified as critical frontline workers for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58264/21]

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 Driving Test. The scheduling of driving tests is an operational matter for the RSA, and I do not have any role in this process.

During the Covid pandemic, the driver testing service has prioritised tests for essential workers. Since May 2021, the RSA has been returning to delivering tests for all customers, while continuing to prioritise critical frontline workers who meet strict criteria for a test. This should make the overall process fairer and more transparent for all.

For this purpose, the RSA are defining a critical frontline worker as someone who works in one of the following:

- The HSE or private hospital providing health services

- the emergency services

They must also:

- need to drive as part of their job (this does not include commuting to and from their job)

Individuals would be considered a critical frontline worker ifthey need to drive as part of their job. Commuting to a place of work does not meet the criteria unless for example that place of work is in the community etc. or if the letter from their employer states that they need to drive as part of their duties.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the breakdown of critical frontline worker categories recognised for driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58265/21]

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 Driving Test. The scheduling of driving tests is an operational matter for the RSA, and I do not have any role in this process.

During the Covid pandemic, the driver testing service has prioritised tests for essential workers. Since May 2021, the RSA has been returning to delivering tests for all customers, while continuing to prioritise critical frontline workers who meet strict criteria for a test. This should make the overall process fairer and more transparent for all.

For this purpose, the RSA are defining a critical frontline worker as someone who works in one of the following:

- The HSE or private hospital providing health services

- the emergency services

They must also:

- need to drive as part of their job (this does not include commuting to and from their job)

An individual would be considered a critical frontline worker ifthey need to drive as part of their job. Commuting to a place of work does not meet the criteria unless for example that place of work is in the community etc. or if the letter from their employer states that they need to drive as part of their duties.