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Driver Test

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2020

Thursday, 22 October 2020

Questions (34)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

34. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a driver test can be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32082/20]

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Written answers

The scheduling of candidates’ driving tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases.

In general terms, my Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA as they deal with the increased demand for their driver testing service  since operations resumed following its temporary closure due to the COVID emergency. In addition to this, due to the social distancing requirements, normal daily capacity is considerably reduced. This means that customers will experience longer waiting times than was the case before the service was suspended. The public’s patience and understanding in this regard is requested.

It is my understanding that those who had appointments cancelled due to Covid 19 are being prioritised in the first instance. Priority then will be given in order of application date.  While there is some capacity for urgent test slots, the RSA's capacity to make these available in all cases will be limited. Therefore, initially those who are frontline healthcare workers will be deemed eligible for an urgent test slot. This approach for prioritising customers will be kept under review as the RSA moves through the service resumption.

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