Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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67. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the basis for his decision to not split up the RSA into two distinct agencies as set out in an independent review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17778/26]

Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding any ongoing review of the effectiveness of the RSA to promote and improve road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17779/26]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 68 together.

In 2024, my Department commissioned Indecon Economic Consultants to carry out an independent, external review of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). This review was presented to Government and published in November 2024.

In total, the report made 34 recommendations. At the core of the recommendations was that the operational services run by the RSA should be separated from its research, media campaigns, partnerships and education programmes to improve road safety. A related recommendation was that the RSA’s public interest work should receive Exchequer subvention.

Since the publication of the review, RSA reform activities have been taken forward on a number of fronts. For the first time since 2012, the fees for certain RSA services increased on 1 January 2025 to raise additional revenue and improve the RSA’s financial position; €18m has been specifically ringfenced for annual investment in public interest work in both 2025 and 2026; the Road Safety Communications Steering Group was established in December 2024; the Department of Transport took over central responsibility for the coordination of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy commencing with the July 2025 publication of the Phase 2 Action Plan; and, a new Chair and three new ordinary members were appointed to the RSA board during 2025 with a stronger focus on the RSA’s operational mandate.

In terms of the recommendation to separate out the RSA’s operational and public interest functions, I have decided not to pursue this recommendation as I believe that reform can be delivered more efficiently and effectively within the existing RSA organisational structure. I have directed my officials to prepare revised reform proposals in line with this decision and will present these to Government before any reform progresses.