Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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432. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of learner drivers who failed to show up for their scheduled driving test appointment to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24387/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. While my Department is responsible for the overall staffing sanction, it is not involved in the delivery of driver testing at an operational level and, as such, the requested information is held by the Authority.

I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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433. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver testers currently employed in each of the 57 driving test centres; the number of permanent testers; the number of temporary testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24388/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including the deployment of driver testers. While my Department is responsible for the overall staffing sanction, it is not involved in the delivery of driver testing at an operational level and, as such, the requested information is held by the Authority.

I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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434. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driver testers' contracts that are due to expire in 2025; the number that will be offered new contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24389/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including the employment of driver testers. While my Department is responsible for the overall staffing sanction, it is not involved in the delivery of driver testing at an operational level and, as such, the requested information is held by the Authority.

I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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435. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the time it takes to recruit new driver testers; the time it takes to complete their training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24390/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service, including the recruitment and training of driver testers. While my Department is responsible for the overall staffing sanction, it is not involved in the delivery of driver testing at an operational level and, as such, the requested information is held by the Authority.

I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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436. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to make a driving test mandatory to obtain a new learner permit, closing a loophole that allows drivers to continue driving on learner permits indefinitely without ever taking a driving test; if primary or secondary legislation is required to introduce this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24391/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The Department is committed, under the Government's Road Safety Strategy, to addressing the matter of learner drivers with multiple successive learner permits. It is intended to restrict eligibility to third or fourth permits, by requiring the learner to take a practical test before they can renew their permit, and that a learner can have no more than four successive permits before they must start the learner driver process again (theory test, learner permit, 12 compulsory lessons, practical test).

An approach has been agreed with the RSA. The Department is working on secondary legislation to provide for the changes and the RSA is finalising an implementation plan.