Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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260. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application by a person (details supplied) can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37303/25]

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 the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for driving testing and licence application matters.

My Department does not have access to individual driving licence exchange applications and may not intervene in that process. Accordingly, I have referred this matter 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.

Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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261. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any consideration is being given to changing the ten-year rule for SPSV licence holders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37317/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.

Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.

For the Deputy's information, a separate licensing regime is administered by An Garda Síochána under the Road Traffic Acts. This relates to Article 60 of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 which applies to the licensing of large public service vehicles and ambulances, particularly those that are one year old or more. Bus Éireann operates the School Transportation Service on behalf of the Department of Education and awards contracts to eligible operators to provide this service. My Department is currently undertaking a review of the Article 60 licensing regime, and stakeholder engagement is ongoing in this regard.