Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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60. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans for any new driving test centres and NCT centres in Dublin; t the planning permission requirements for same; and the consultation that occurs with local communities before a driving test or NCT centre opens in an area. [67308/25]

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 provision of driving test centres and National Car Test Service (NCTS) centres. Neither I nor my officials are involved in the service at an operational level.

Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.

Pending this more detailed response, I am informed by the RSA that it intends to open a new driver test centre in Sandyford in the near future. While not yet operational, the assigned testers are already deployed to nearby centres in readiness for its opening ensuring testing volumes continue to be managed effectively.

Additionally, I understand that each National Car Test Centre shall be located within 50 kilometres of 90 per cent of the owners for whom it is the nearest National Car Test Centre, taking account of existing travel patterns and reasonable journey times. The NCTS currently meets this standard. Finally, the NCT contract will be due for renewal in 2030 and the location and number of NCT Test Centres will be reviewed by the RSA as part of preparing for the optimal delivery of the service beyond this date.