Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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253. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 27 May 2025, if he has received the data requested from the Road Safety Authority on driving test centres where learner drivers failed to turn up for their scheduled driving test appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32806/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters. As such, the information requested is held by the Authority.

I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed 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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254. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received the implementation plans from the Road Safety Authority to close the loophole whereby learner drivers are allowed to renew their permits without sitting the driving test; if he has placed a timeline on the Road Safety Authority to provide him with its plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32807/25]

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for his Department and the Road Safety Authority to close the loophole whereby learners never have to sit a driving test to renew their permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32808/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 255 together.

As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that my Department is committed 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 that the learner has taken a practical test before they can renew their permit, and that no more than four successive permits may be issued before a learner must start the learner driver process again (theory test, learner permit, 12 compulsory lessons, practical test).

The Department is working on legislation to provide for the changes and the RSA, in consultation with my officials, is finalising an implementation plan. I expect to sign regulations shortly and for implementation to begin before the end of this year. This aligns to the commitments given by the RSA to return the driver testing service to the target wait of 10 weeks (or less) by September.