Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2020
219. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide copies of all correspondence from the Road Safety Authority (details supplied) in relation to a matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37864/20]
View answerDriving instructors are either self-employed or employed by driving schools, and my Department has no role in that business.
As I have previously advised Deputies, the Road Safety Authority is developing plans in an ongoing engagement with my Department over recent weeks for their various statutory functions to address the operational and financial consequences of the ongoing and dynamic national COVID response, as well as accompanying financial and staffing proposals, with a view to identifying what specific additional resources may be needed.
In particular, my Department has been engaging with the Road Safety Authority on the issue of addressing backlogs in the driver testing service due to the pandemic. As the Deputy will appreciate, this process may have staffing and financial implications which will require discussion with other Government Departments. I do not believe that it would be in the public interest to publish correspondence which is part of this process, because as long as the process is ongoing such correspondence would obviously be incomplete.
I may in due course consider publication in a suitable form of the final plans when concluded, subject to consultation with the RSA, and consideration of any commercial or other confidentiality requirements.
