Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2013
607. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a company has been granted the contract to process photographs for the new driving licences being rolled out this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14974/13]
View answer612. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the basis for there being only one photo capture system for the new driving licence; if his attention has been drawn to the impact this select system will have on the retail sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15093/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 612 together.
The Government decided in 2011 to centralise driver licence provision, following an examination of the options for driver licensing which found that a centralised system would offer enhanced security and consistency, and be more efficient and cost-effective. The Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012 provides for the RSA to become the central driver licensing authority in Ireland. This came into effect on 12 January 2013.
The new system involves three outsourced elements, a card production facility, a front office for engaging with the customer, and a back office to process applications. All three are overseen by a ‘centre of excellence’ based in the RSA itself. The card licence is standardised across the European Union and therefore there must be consistency in the quality and standard of information used. The photograph is digital and is not stuck on to the card in the way it was on the old paper licence. The capture of the photograph is included in the fee for the licence. As the system develops, the SAFE2 ID standard will be implemented, at which point the only option will be the digital photo taken at the Front Office Network.
There was no specific tender for photo capture. I understand that this matter comes under the contract for the front office, which was recently awarded to SGS by the RSA. The operation of the tender processes for the outsourced elements was a matter for the RSA and all contractors have now been procured.
