Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1710. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide on a county basis the total number of driver licences issued since the inception of the new NDLS; the revenue incurred by the State and by the managing company; his views on the operation of the scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34104/14]
View answerThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.
The RSA informs me that since the inception of the NDLS on 29 October 2013 until 31 August 2014, 413,790 driver licence applications have been processed and RSA has recognised revenue of €16.2 million in respect of driving licence applications over this period.
There are three distinct outsourced contractors involved in providing the service and the Authority has advised that it will not be disclosing any commercially sensitive outsourced cost information on these contracts.
On the broader issue of the operation of the NDLS to date, while there were a number of difficulties initially, I am satisfied that the NDLS has the appropriate measures in place to address the problems which arose. In particular, the NDLS has taken a number of measures to address demand at its public offices since opening. These include: providing extra staff at centres experiencing high demand; additional training (which will increase efficiency and therefore throughput of customers); and the setting up of an online booking facility to make appointments. In addition, it has recently opened two new centres, one in Dublin and one in Cork. I am satisfied that the RSA continues to work with the contractors to promote a positive customer experience and to ensure that properly presented applications for licences are issued within a five to eight working day period.
With regard to the question on the number of driver licences issued on a county basis, I have referred this part of the Question 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.
