Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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144. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his agreed approach with the Road Safety Authority to prevent learner permit renewals without sitting a driving test, under action 27 of the road safety strategy; the proposed date in 2024 for implementation; the reason for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29451/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and the Road Safety Authority have agreed an approach to addressing the issue of ongoing renewal of learner permits without sitting a driving test. It is intended that there will be a requirement to have sat a driving test before renewing a learner permit and that there will be a limit to the number of renewals that can be made before a learner must start the process again.

Implementation will need to be phased, as it will require IT systems updates, as well as increased testing capacity and revision of driver training and the test curriculum.. The RSA is currently working on an implementation plan.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to allow An Garda Síochána gain instant access to the national driver file database at the roadside, for real-time information on the status of a licence or learner permit and disqualifications; the proposed date for the Minister to give this access to gardaí as requested; the reason for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29452/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department currently engages in extensive data sharing with An Garda Síochána. We share a vehicle file twice weekly containing information to populate the PULSE system. This includes details on vehicle ownership and insurance. On a weekly basis we share a driver file with driver number, driver name and address details, driver status, driver sex, driver date of birth and driver disqualification details. On a daily basis we share a file containing a full update of all vehicles with expired NCT or CVRT (for defined period of time) and a file containing a full update of all vehicles with expired motor tax (for defined period of time) which are used for Garda ANPR systems. We also share vehicle registration numbers and vehicle data with An Garda Síochána to support the speed camera van service.

This data sharing is vital for the operation of roads policing and allows for the detection of untaxed vehicles and vehicles with expired or no NCT/CVRT by ANPR devices as well as populating the PULSE system with driver and vehicle data. These data sources are also made available to front line members through the Garda Mobility App.

Furthermore my Department is working closely with An Garda Síochána to enhance the existing data exchanges to provide real-time access to the national driver file database (NVDF) at the roadside. We are working through the data governance issues with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána. To facilitate this increased exchange of data and exchanges with other parties, my Department has drafted the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2024 to strengthen the legislation in this regard. The NVDF Bill 2024 will be brought to Cabinet before the summer recess. Once these data governance issues are in order, real-time access can to the NVDF can be granted which will enhance the existing extensive data sharing procedures.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to sign a commencement order to activate a provision in the Road Traffic Act 2023 allowing motor insurers and intermediaries gain access to his Department's driver file database to information on disqualified drivers and to verify the driver number; to allow intermediaries with specific sanction from a vehicle insurer to conclude insurance contracts on the insurer's behalf; the reason for delays to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29453/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Traffic and Roads Act (2023) was passed last June. The Act contains significant provisions related to allowing access to the NVDF by motor insurers and intermediaries to verify the Driver Number and gain access to endorsement and disqualification data.

Section 14(c) when commenced will expand access to allow not only insurers but also intermediaries acting on their behalf to verify Driver Numbers against the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) held by my Department for their existing 'back book' of driver numbers, for renewals, quotes and new policies. It will also allow access to insurers and intermediaries to endorsement and disqualification data.

My Department's immediate priority is to put in a place a contract and a data sharing agreement, to allow the verification of insurance companies and intermediaries seeking access to the Department’s NVDF. This will enable Driver Number verification and access to endorsement and disqualification information. This work is underway and once the contracts and agreements are signed the Commencement Order can follow immediately.

The access to disqualification information also requires ICT changes by my Department as the current system supports Driver Number Verification and access to endorsements only. ICT changes are also required on the part of MIBI and the insurances companies in this regard and my Department will work closely with these organisations to align our delivery.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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147. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for his Department to link records of all driving licences to the records of vehicle registrations on his Department's national vehicle and driver file databases; the reasons for the delay to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29454/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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It is important to distinguish between registration of a vehicle, from subsequent processing activity in its vehicle lifecycle. Initial registration of all new and imported vehicles is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, so any data quality issues around the name and address details registered for such vehicle owners, and verification of same, is a matter for that office.

Section 4 of the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 amends existing legislation and enables a unique identifier to be captured where a vehicle’s ownership changes, or when it is being licensed. This will normally be a driver number, but if that is unavailable it may be a PPSN. The requirement for such owner verification details to be supplied will require significant change to how such services are currently provided and will require consultation with a number of stakeholders both within and outside my Department. My Department hopes to begin that engagement this year. Section 4 will be commenced when the necessary preparations have been concluded.