Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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192. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when driving instructors will be permitted to access the RSA national test centres as they continue to be locked out in the cold for almost two years; the reason with the reopening of most sections of society the RSA testing centres are not fully reopened to driving instructors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63065/21]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address issues at RSA national test centres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63066/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.

While operational arrangements at driving test centres are a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA), I understand that prior to COVID 19 some centres did offer toilet facilities. In some cases, indoor waiting rooms were also made available to driving instructors or other accompanying persons while learner drivers underwent their test. 

However, in the interests of current public health requirements, as part of the RSA’s COVID-19 Resumption of Services Protocols, toilet facilities are only made available to the learner driver. Waiting area facilities are not available in any test centre – either for the learner driver or others.

I am advised that as well as the need to comply with public health considerations, safely returning to pre-pandemic arrangements at this time, would in effect reduce the number of tests being provided in a situation where the RSA is already working to reduce backlogs built up during the pandemic.

While adherence to the existing protocols has enabled the RSA to continue to deliver driver testing at a time when this public service has been suspended in many other jurisdictions, the RSA looks forward to the day when it can restore the facilities for driving instructors and any other person accompanying learner drivers for their test.