Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the possibility of making the driving theory test a mandatory element of the transition year cycle programme will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31104/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Road safety is a shared concern all across the country and it is one that requires a whole-of-society approach to address. I believe that the education sector can play an important role in supporting and promoting road safety education and awareness, particularly for our young people.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA), in collaboration with my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Health and Safety Authority and the Higher Education Authority, has continuously been involved in the provision of comprehensive and integrated road safety education programmes. These programmes have been offered at all levels, from pre-school to third level, as well as in the wider community.

You may be aware that last October, following collaboration with my Department and a range of stakeholders, the new RSA transition year (TY) programme “Road Safety Matters” was launched to help students become safer road users. The programme, which has been developed by the RSA, is supported by An Garda Síochána and officially sponsored by Irish Public Bodies mutual insurance.

The programme supports TY students, as well as their teachers, offering them a step-by-step guide to prepare them on their road safety journey. Students learn the importance of sharing the road, developing the knowledge, skills, values, and qualities to prepare them as road users. This will support them in becoming safe drivers if they decide to drive in the future.

There are 10 units in the programme including an overview session, learning to drive, components of a car, speed, alcohol, drugs, distractions, safety belts, vulnerable road users and an assessment. It can be taught over a 10-week period or longer. A road safety toolkit, which supports teachers and students alike, is also made available.

The units are designed in such a way that relevant questions on the driver theory test form part of the units, and I would hope that as students follow the programme those who wish to can use it as an opportunity to prepare for the driver theory test.

A total of 5,025 students from 88 post primary schools nationwide participated in the programme this academic year and there are now 236 teachers from 211 post primary schools trained to deliver the programme. A further 234 teachers have so far registered to attend professional learning on the programme in September 2025.

It is encouraging to see such early uptake and I welcome the RSA’s continuing work to enhance the accessibility of education programmes for schools. My Department will continue to work closely with the RSA to support their work in the ongoing rollout of the new TY module in particular, as well as its wider work in promoting road safety in the education sector.

In addition, schools can also avail of the Garda Lifesaver Project, a one-hour interactive programme delivered to Transition Year students by local Gardaí which highlights the impact of road traffic collisions on people’s lives.