Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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248. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport her role in ensuring that State services are fully accessible and supportive for people with a disability in cases in which issues have been raised with the Road Safety Authority in relation to difficulties with the driver theory test for those with learning disability; if she will engage with the Authority to ensure that immediate efforts are made to make the theory test more inclusive in terms of the manner in which the questions are worded for those with language difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29170/22]

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 and my Department has no involvement in creating the test material or the operation of the test. I have therefore referred the question 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.

I am aware that the Driver Theory Test provider offers various options to accommodate candidates who may require special assistance to take their test.

For instance, they offer a voiceover option whereby the questions and answers are read out to the candidate over the headphones. Additional time is also allowed for the candidate to take the test. There is also a reader recorder service whereby a staff member will read the questions and answer options to the candidate and record their answers on screen. Other services offered include dyslexia support, professional and Irish Sign Language (ISL) video clips, or ISL interpreters.

To avail of extra time or a reader recorder service during their test, I understand that a candidate must write to the Driver Theory Test Service with medical evidence on official headed paper from a school, doctor or professional person confirming the assistance the candidate requires. This should be posted to: Driver Theory Test, PO Box 15, Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Translator support tests are available by special arrangement at certain centres. This support is for candidates who do not speak or understand English. Evidence of a candidate’s requirement for this service must be provided.  

Test Day Assistance and Support Services must be booked in advance by calling 0818 606 106 or via the postal application form available for download at theorytest.ie/general-information/test-day-assistance-support/.