David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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242. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address the matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the NDLS fees and payment methods policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50037/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Driver licensing is handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), the provision of which I have delegated to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under the relevant legislation.

I understand that the NDLS ceased handling cash during Covid 19 and continued this practice under the new NDLS Front Office contract. Cash handling introduces additional complexity, including security, safe storage, transfer to banks and reconciliation, that the Road Safety Authority wished to avoid as part of the new service. Alternatives are readily available, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or Payzone vouchers. Payzone vouchers can be purchased from retailers in towns and villages nationwide (over 3,500 outlets).

The Central Bank has advised that retail transactions are governed by contract law in Ireland. In this context, where a business places no restrictions on the means of payment it is prepared to accept, it must accept legal tender when offered by a customer to settle a debt that has arisen. However, if a business specifies in advance that payment must be in a form other than cash, the customer cannot subsequently claim a legal right to pay in cash, even if that cash is legal tender. Therefore, under certain circumstances, retail businesses or service providers can refuse to accept payment in cash.

Any customer requiring personal assistance to use the NDLS service is welcome to be accompanied by a person who can make a payment on their behalf. For people aged over 70, there is no charge for a driving licence.