Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
638. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of unaccompanied learner drivers detected per Garda division and station in 2019 and up to 31 October 2020; the number of learners issued with a fixed charge notice for driving unaccompanied per division and station; the number of vehicles seized from learners each year for driving unaccompanied per Garda division and station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7027/21]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018, known as the Clancy Amendment, seeks to penalise car owners who knowingly allow their vehicles to be used by an unaccompanied learner driver. The law allows the owners of these vehicles to be fined and gives Gardaí the power to seize their cars if being driven by unaccompanied drivers.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 12,443 Fixed Charge Notices have been issued to learner drivers who were unaccompanied by a qualified driver between 22 December 2018 and 13 December 2020 inclusive.
I am further informed that there was 5,734 incidents in which drivers have had their vehicles seized under the Clancy Amendment for driving unaccompanied by a qualified driver between 22 December 2018 and 13 December 2020 inclusive.
All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the PULSE and FCPS systems as was available on 14 December 2020 and is liable to change.
I have requested further information from the Garda Commissioner in relation to localised data as requested by the Deputy and will write to the Deputy directly with the information requested, when it is available.
