Wednesday, 21 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 328-346

Driver Licences

Questions (328)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

328. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by persons here in accessing a code required from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in the UK in order to transfer from an English to Irish licence; if assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied) who needs a C1 licence as an essential worker in the broadband roll-out and cannot access the code needed to transfer their C1 licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18735/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

A person exchanging a UK driving licence that has expired by less than 1 year is required to provide a letter of entitlement from the relevant UK licensing authority. It is my understanding that the UK authorities not longer provide such letters, but rather issue the requestor with an access code to view their licence entitlements online. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has agreed to accept this code from a licence exchange applicant in lieu of the letter of entitlement. Please note that the RSA cannot request this access code from the UK authorities on behalf of a third party. The issuing of this code and/or letters of entitlement are a matter for the UK authorities.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (329, 396, 418)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

329. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 10 March 2021, if a decision has been made to date on the proposal by the Road Safety Authority to extend the validity period of initial basic training certificates in line with extensions in respect of NCT and driver licences in view of the ongoing level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18772/21]

Paul Donnelly

Question:

396. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Transport the manner in which certain learner permits are getting an extension to their expiry dates but the initial basic training certificate for learner motorbikes does not get the same extensions. [19665/21]

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

418. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport his views on matters regarding motorcycle driver testing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20156/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 329, 396 and 418 together.

I can confirm that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has recently submitted a proposal to my Department for a further extension to IBT certificates. This is currently being worked on within my Department. An update is expected shortly.

The provision of driving instruction has been defined in legislation introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Health, as an essential service that may continue under level 5 restrictions, albeit in extremely limited circumstances.

Both Essential Driver Training (EDT) for cars and Initial Basic Training (IBT) for motorcycles are currently suspended. Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons to both driving and motorcycle learners, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already completed their required modules and has been scheduled a test date.

While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses to learners who have not yet completed their training, I am sure the Deputy will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding of public health must take first priority here.

Road Tolls

Questions (330)

Michael McNamara

Question:

330. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport when an issue will be addressed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18783/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). Please note that Mr Pandicheril's previous correspondence to my office was acknowledged and forwarded to TII for direct reply.

Given the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Driver Licences

Questions (331)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

331. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18784/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). My Department does not have access to individual applications.

I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Driver Test

Questions (332)

James Lawless

Question:

332. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to make the driver theory test available to take online which would allow the applicants to go ahead and take their test and reduce the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18806/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. It was trialled in December on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses. The pilot is now being evaluated and the RSA is committed to extending the service for all theory test types during 2021. There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the service during the initial rollout phase, but the objective is that it should be an option for all theory test customers during later phases of the rollout.

Driver Test

Questions (333)

James Lawless

Question:

333. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport his plans to recruit more testers for driver tests to help get through the backlog of applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18812/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to help the service meet the growing demand for tests within the current public health situation.

An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised by my Department along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. The RSA is making good progress in the recruitment process and the expectation is that the new testers will be available to conduct tests by the end of June 2021. As well as recruiting and training these additional 40 testing staff currently, the recruitment campaign has allowed the creation of a recruitment panel from which additional numbers can be taken on board if justified and necessary in light of progress, when full-service resumes.

The health of both the public and the testers themselves must take priority, and as a result it is important to recognise that it will take time to get driver testing waiting times back to normal pre-Covid levels. The driving test creates particular difficulties, given the need for a tester and a test candidate to sit in close proximity in the same vehicle for a substantial period of time, as well as the fact that testers are moving between vehicles provided by test candidates, which are not controllable work environments. It is a tribute to the care taken by the RSA and its staff that there has been no case of Covid transmission attributable to the driving test, in spite of many thousands of tests conducted since the resumption of services last summer.

Covid-19 Tests

Questions (334)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

334. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with airlines in relation to PCR testing for cabin crew and pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18813/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Throughout the pandemic I and officials in my Department have been engaging with airlines, airports and other stakeholders in the aviation sector.

My Department through the National Air Transport Facilitation Committee (NATFaC) developed the Air Travel Protocol. The sectoral protocols were developed in consultation with the public health authorities and with industry, who are already implementing the measures.

The protocols set out the expectations and requirements on industry to ensure public health safety of passengers, staff and crew.

As Government have developed additional measures in relation to international such as, passenger locator form, evidence of a not detected RT-PCR test pre-departure, mandatory home quarantine and mandatory quarantine at a designated facility, aircrew have always been exempt.

This is in line with the EU recommendations on the implementation of the 'Green Lanes' guidance for border management to ensure the continued availability of essential goods and services.

Driver Test

Questions (335)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

335. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if a person (details supplied) can complete a driver test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18855/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I wish to make you aware that the operation of the tests is handled by the RSA. My Department does not have access to individual applications nor have I any power to intervene in individual cases.

I have therefore referred this 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Driver Test

Questions (336)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

336. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Transport if the Road Safety Authority will consider facilitating driver tests for CE licences in Waterford city in view of the fact that other cities in Munster have such driver tests available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18856/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The location of Driving Test Centres is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and I have no power to intervene in operational decisions.

I have therefore referred this 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.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Bus Services

Questions (337)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

337. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to instruct the National Transport Authority to incorporate the provision of dedicated toilet facilities for bus drivers and staff as part of the development of the BusConnects projects in cities across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18868/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects, and is developing BusConnects programmes in other cities on a non-statutory basis.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Public Transport

Questions (338)

Mick Barry

Question:

338. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport if he will increase the State subvention to Dublin Bus and other CIÉ companies to ensure there is no cut in services in view of the fall in revenue and potential changes in work patterns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18903/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for the allocation of associated funding to Dublin Bus and other CIÉ companies, along with other relevant transport operators.

The Covid-19 health emergency brought a profound and swift shock to the public transport sector. Public transport’s designation as an essential service throughout the pandemic means, that although fare revenues have collapsed, most of the cost of operations remains and must continue to be met in order to fulfil Government’s broader policy objectives. Government support for all public transport services in 2020 amounted to over €620m. By comparison, the level of PSO and Local Link funding provided in 2019 was in the region of €300m.

Due to the current Level 5 restrictions in operation, fare revenues on all modes of public transport continue to be severely depressed. My Department, in conjunction with NTA, will continue to monitor PSO and rural transport funding and other commercial bus supports during 2021. Over €670m has been provided in Budget 2021 to ensure that the existing level of public transport services, albeit at a higher cost, continue to operate in a safe manner.

Motor Tax

Questions (339)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

339. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if he has considered a partial motor tax rebate for motorists that could not use their cars as a result of cocooning during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18919/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Motor tax is payable if a vehicle is being used in a public place.

However, there is a facility in place to declare a vehicle off the road in advance where it is not going to be in use in a public place. A declaration of non-use must be made in the last month of an existing motor tax disc or renewed in the last month of a previously made declaration of non-use. The declaration can be made for any number of calendar months between 3 and 12 months i.e. it cannot be made for a period of 1 or 2 months. If a vehicle is subsequently required to be put back on the road during the period covered by the declaration of non-use, the declaration can be broken at any time simply by taxing the vehicle.

Motor tax legislation also provides for refunds in certain limited circumstances, including where a vehicle has been scrapped or destroyed, permanently exported, stolen and not recovered, where the vehicle has not been used in a public place at any time since the issue of a disc, where the owner of a vehicle has ceased to use the vehicle because of illness, injury or other physical disability, or due to absence from the State for business purposes, educational purposes or service overseas with the Defence Forces.

There are no plans currently to amend the legislation to extend the grounds for the granting of a refund.

Driver Test

Questions (340)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

340. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if a driver test can be facilitated for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18921/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

During the level 5 period, driving tests will be available only to those who are involved in essential services, including essential retail work. Details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets can be found at www.gov.ie

The Road Safety Authority has set up a dedicated webform so that essential workers can request a driving test. If this individual is looking for an urgent driving test appointment and they are an essential worker, they can apply to book a driving test using the online form.

Because the RSA can only test essential workers at this time, there is currently surplus capacity in the system. Any essential worker, within the terms of the public health regulations, who applies for a test should not encounter any undue delays in obtaining an appointment.

Driver Licences

Questions (341)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

341. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 480 of 17 October 2017, the progress that has been made to reduce the burden facing the diaspora when applying for a locally issued driver licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18933/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

A person with a full but non-exchangable driving licence must go through the normal driver learning process but can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of 6 lessons instead of the usual 12. This provision has been in place since November 2018. Such an applicant also does not have to be a learner permit holder for the usual minimum of 6 months before taking a driving test.

All EU driving licences are exchangeable when a person moves from one Member State to another. In the case of non-EU jurisdictions, we may make bilateral agreements on licence exchange. These are not a straightforward matter, and reaching them is not a matter of political will. They can be made only when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes, so that each side can be satisfied that they are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Since 2018, Ireland has entered into exchange agreements with Saskatchewan, Canada (May 2019, Alberta, Canada (March 2020) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (December 2020).

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (342, 343)

Michael McNamara

Question:

342. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport if initial basic training motorcycle lessons can go ahead as normal given that IBT can provide two metres social distance in classrooms while wearing masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and while out in the compound would be wearing full PPE gear as in helmet with visor, gloves, boots and so on and all communication can be done through bluetooth headphones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19002/21]

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

343. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport when driver lessons will resume for essential workers in need of acquiring a driver licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19003/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.

The provision of driving instruction has been defined in legislation introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Health, as an essential service that may continue under level 5 restrictions, albeit in extremely limited circumstances.

Both Essential Driver Training (EDT) for cars and Initial Basic Training (IBT) for motorcycles are currently suspended. Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons to both driving and motorcycle learners, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already completed their required modules and has been scheduled a test date.

While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses to learners who have not yet completed their training, I must remind the Deputy that this decision was reached in line with official National Public Health Emergency (NPHET) advice that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home and keeping social contacts to an absolute minimum.

Officials in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are working hard to ensure that both EDT and IBT can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

Driver Test

Questions (344)

Pa Daly

Question:

344. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on the criteria under which either of category B driver theory tests will resume or category B driver theory tests will commence as an online remote option; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19069/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The extension of Covid19 level 5 restrictions by Government means that the Driver Theory Test continues to be suspended. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I must emphasise, that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible and minimising social contacts.

Officials both in this Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that Theory Tests can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

In the meantime, the RSA is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints for when services resume. In this regard, the aim is to double capacity at test centres over a three-month period.

Normal capacity before the pandemic was approximately 15,000 tests per month. When the service reopened in June 2020, this was increased to 25,000 to deal with the backlog which had developed by that point. Based on the capacity of 25,000 tests per month, the aim is to provide an additional 25,000 tests per month on top of this for the first 3 months of reopening, or a total of 75,000 extra test appointments over the three-month period. This would make substantial inroads into numbers waiting over that time period.

In addition to the increased capacity initiative, the RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. The online service has been trialled on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses and is now being evaluated with a view to extending the online service to all test types during 2021 However, scaling up operations to facilitate higher numbers will take time to achieve.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (345, 407, 412, 423, 439, 443, 457)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

345. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport when driver lessons for non-essential workers will recommence. [19075/21]

Thomas Gould

Question:

407. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport if the situation in which essential workers who have not completed their EDT lessons are unable to complete these without a bike driver test and are also unable to book a driver test due to the fact they have not completed their EDT lessons has been rectified. [19862/21]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

412. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport the reason the licensed portal for NDI approved driving instructors is closed while it is still allowing the portal for essential workers to request an invitation for a driver test through the RSA website (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19907/21]

David Cullinane

Question:

423. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if he will advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20267/21]

Joe Flaherty

Question:

439. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Transport when driving lessons can resume given that there are still many essential workers unable to finish their 12 lessons in order to be able to book driving tests. [20521/21]

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

443. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that essential workers who do not have a driver test booked are unable to continue with driving lessons; and his plans to address the matter. [20575/21]

Pearse Doherty

Question:

457. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if it is planned to recommence driving lessons for essential workers who are yet to complete the required driving lessons to allow them to apply for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20808/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 345, 407, 412, 423, 439, 443 and 457 together.

The provision of driving instruction has been defined in legislation introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Health, as an essential service that may continue under level 5 restrictions, albeit in extremely limited circumstances.

Both Essential Driver Training (EDT) for cars and Initial Basic Training (IBT) for motorcycles are currently suspended. Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons to both driving and motorcycle learners, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already completed their required modules and has been scheduled a test date.

While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses to essential workers who have not yet completed their training, I must remind the Deputy that this decision was reached in line with official National Public Health Emergency (NPHET) advice that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home and keeping social contacts to an absolute minimum.

Officials in my Department and in the Road Safety Authority are working hard to ensure that both EDT and IBT can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

Driver Test

Questions (346)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

346. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to fund pop-up driver test locations to deal with the backlog of persons awaiting a test. [19076/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to help the service meet the growing demand for tests within the current public health situation. An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised by my Department along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020.

Given Covid restrictions on the throughput of the centres and to accommodate the additional 40 Contract Driver Testers that are coming on stream in June 2021, the RSA is planning to expand its Driving Test Centre Network for an interim period of 2 years. The plan is to try and provide this capacity as close to the existing test centres and could involve 20 extra sites. These plans are being developed at present and may be subject to change prior to June 2021. The new centres will be compliant with the required public health guidelines and protocols.