Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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152. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of learner drivers in 2023 to date, per week, that failed to turn up for their scheduled driving test appointment; the number of driving tests lost through these no-shows; if he has his plans to introduce measures to ensure that learner permit holders sit a driving test before they can obtain a subsequent learner permit from the RSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33774/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the first part of 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.

As part of plans to reduce the number of people on a third or subsequent consecutive learner permit, the Department and the RSA are considering a range of measures to ensure that learner permit holders sit a driving test before they can obtain a subsequent permit. Reducing the number of multiple learner permit holders requires addressing, as well as the permit application process, driver testing capacity and reviewing the driver training curriculum. All three aspects are being considered with the RSA.