Thursday, 9 Sep 2021

Written Answers Nos. 102-121

Departmental Staff

Questions (102)

Carol Nolan

Question:

102. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to promote or facilitate remote working for staff in his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the costs this has generated in terms of the provision of laptops, desktop computers or contributions to Wi-Fi costs or phone-related expenses; the number of staff who have applied for permission to work from home on a permanent or hybrid-model basis (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41962/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

My Department has robustly facilitated remote working for staff in roles across all office locations, where feasible, over the last 18 months. We have been particularly conscious of the need to minimise the pressure on the public transport system to support essential workers travelling safely. This has included the supply of IT equipment to enable an effective and productive working environment at home for our people. Departments and Offices are currently working in line with Government COVID-19 guidance, which provides for home working to continue where possible. With restrictions now lifting, plans are being implemented to enable staff to transition to a mix of working together in the office while maintaining an element of working from home, gradually and safely, until a blended working scheme is in place

A central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.

My Department will develop its own Blended Working arrangements in line with the central policy framework. Once arrangements have been finalised, Officers of the Department will be invited to apply.

To date, the provision of laptops, desktop computers and contributions to Wi-Fi costs or phone-related expenses to facilitate remote working has generated a total cost of €97,772.22. The supply of other equipment, such as office chairs and desks, has generated a total cost of €13,508.79.

Driver Licences

Questions (103)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to the renewal of driver licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41969/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Ireland received authorisation from the EU to extend driving licences that expire between 1 July and 31 October 2021 for an additional 10 months. This authorisation was received on 30 June under EU Regulation 2021/267 and was applied on 2 July 2021.

When the extension was applied, the expiry date on the driver file for each person affected was updated to the new expiry date. It is not possible to extend or not extend individual driving licences. By law, a driving licence cannot be renewed more than 3 months before the expiry of the licence.

Where required, a medical report or eyesight report must be dated not more than one month prior to the date of application. This is to ensure that the most up-to-date assessment of the applicant is provided.

I am aware that some people seeking to renew their licences may have obtained medical reports that are no longer required, owing to the extension of their licences. However, for all classes of licence where a medical report is required, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide this and there is no mechanism to reimburse individual applicants.

Driver Licences

Questions (104)

Seán Fleming

Question:

104. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider allowing qualified drivers from Ghana to drive lorries in Ireland due to the fact that many companies are having difficulty recruiting drivers in Ireland at the moment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42007/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

An Irish or EU driving licence is required in order to drive in Ireland. To be licensed to drive on Irish roads, a person must meet the high standards of safety of the driving test set out in national and EU legislation.

A person with a non-EU driving licence can exchange their licence for an Irish licence if there is an exchange agreement in place with that country. Otherwise, they will have to go through the normal process of obtaining an Irish licence. An Irish licence can only be issued to a person resident in Ireland.

Reaching a driving licence exchange agreement with another country is a comprehensive process carried out between the statutory licensing agencies in each state. To ensure the safety of road users, such agreements can be made only when the relevant authorities in each jurisdiction have studied and compared the two licensing regimes and are satisfied that they are comparable. If standards and procedures are not comparable, the process does not continue.

For Ireland, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority. The exchange agreement process generally takes over a year of ongoing engagement, from initiation to completion, to provide the thoroughness required to ensure the safety of Irish road users.

The RSA is currently considering licence exchange agreements with several non-EU licensing authorities. However, licence exchange agreements with non-EU countries will not provide a short-term solution in Ireland to the worldwide shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers and pursuit of such arrangements without proper examination of standards of training and testing would represent a significant potential risk to other road users.

Driver Test

Questions (105)

Seán Fleming

Question:

105. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport the arrangements currently in place to facilitate essential driving training lessons to be carried out in Portlaoise, County Laois and the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42008/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Road safety policy during the pandemic has depended on public health decisions taken by Government, on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.

There is currently no legal impediment to the provision of driving lessons, provided public health guidelines are adhered to. However, the position is that these lessons can resume where the learner in question is willing to book a class and the instructor is willing to teach it. It does not mean that instruction has to resume, or that driving instructors are obliged to teach against their will.

As the Deputy will be aware, approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) are entirely independent operators and neither the Road Safety Authority nor the Department can dictate how they run their individual businesses. It is up to each driving instructor or driving school to make the appropriate choices to protect themselves and their families.

Departmental Programmes

Questions (106)

Dara Calleary

Question:

106. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport the status of an application for inclusion on the safe routes to school scheme by a school (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42023/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

In March, I was delighted to launch the Safe Routes to School Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country.

As the Deputy is likely aware, the Safe Routes to School Programme aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.

All schools were eligible to apply to the programme and information was circulated from the Departments of Education and Transport to schools nationwide. I am delighted to say that by the deadline of 16th April, 932 applications had been received from schools in every county in Ireland.

You may be aware that 170 schools were notified on 21 June that they have been selected for inclusion in the first round of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme. The schools initially selected were assessed against a range of criteria including school type, location and the school’s commitment to sustainable travel.

It is my understanding that S.N. Dhumha Thuama was not included in the first round of funding; however if they submitted an expression of interest ahead of the deadline, they will not be required to reapply as all schools which applied will come into the programme on a rolling basis.

The Safe Routes to School Programme is funded by my Department through the National Transport Authority and An Taisce's Green-Schools is co-ordinating the programme. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter I have forwarded your correspondence to them for a more detailed reply in relation to S.N. Dhumha Thuama's application.

Rail Network

Questions (107)

Seán Fleming

Question:

107. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport the proposals for investing and upgrading a railway line (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42034/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may be aware the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC) provides the funding framework for the protection and renewal of our railway infrastructure, including the Ballybrophy to Limerick rail line. This is the second year of the five year IMMAC programme, as approved by Government in 2020, and over the five years of the programme just over €1billion in Exchequer funding will be made available to support delivery. This funding will increase service reliability and punctuality, improve journey times and ensure continued safety of rail services. In 2021 for example this programme will support an enhanced programme of track relaying on the Ballybrophy line.

Noting Iarnród Éireann's (IÉ) responsibility in the matter in the first instance, I have referred the Deputy's questions to IÉ for a more detailed reply on the matter raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Local Authorities

Questions (108, 109, 110)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

108. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount that each local authority received under the bridge rehabilitation capital fund in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42061/21]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

109. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount each local authority received under the safety improvement works capital fund in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/21]

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount local authority received under the community involvement scheme fund in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42063/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 110, inclusive, together.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from Councils' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable.

Details of the regional and local road grant payments to local authorities in 2020 and grant allocations for 2021 are outlined in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The tables included in the allocations and payments booklets outline expenditure by type of grant programme.

The table below sets out the expenditure to the end of August this year for each local authority under the Bridge Rehabilitation Programme, the Safety Improvement Works Programme and the Community Involvement Scheme.

Local Authority	Bridge Rehabilitation Programme	Safety Improvement Works Programme	Community Involvement Scheme
Carlow	€2,418	€0	€0
Cavan	€116,295	€53,491	€0
Clare	€125,290	€0	€0
Cork County	€391,829	€55,733	€251,987
Donegal	€0	€25,922	€47,911
Galway County	€181,903	€39,549	€7,611
Kerry	€71,119	€6,660	€6,758
Kildare	€233,022	€0	€0
Kilkenny	€100,886	€12,993	€11,360
Laois	€125,765	€0	€40,706
Leitrim	€14,303	€47,110	€13,232
Limerick City & County	€696,55	€97,592	€107,923
Longford	€9,536	€0	€27,390
Louth	€1,538	€61,830	€0
Mayo	€58,630	€19,039	€301,503
Meath	€0	€0	€0
Monaghan	€118,727	€0	€0
Offaly	€115,121	€0	€4,000
Roscommon	€11,255	€49,069	€53,258
Sligo	€30,327	€6,072	€254,959
Tipperary	€144,323	€21,933	€0
Waterford City & County	€0	€0	€0
Westmeath	€0	€0	€117,572
Wexford	€142,028	€90,199	€0
Wicklow	€73,753	€122,674	€0
Cork City	€71,771	€0	N/A
Galway City	€0	€0	N/A
Totals	€2,209,494	€709,866	€1,246,170

Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 108.

Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 108.

Road Projects

Questions (111)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

111. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding that has been provided by the Government for the A5 upgrade in each year since the original commitment was made in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42064/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

When the original commitment was made to contribute to the A5 project, an expenditure profile linked to specific project milestones was approved by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC). £22 million (sterling) was paid in three tranches over the period 2009 to 2012 and this fulfilled the Government's funding commitment under the original expenditure profile for project planning and design.

The current funding arrangements in relation to the A5 are governed by the commitments in the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start and in the New Decade, New Approach document. The Government is committed to providing funding of £75 million (sterling) towards the cost of phase 1a of the A5 upgrade scheme subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland. To date this process has not been concluded.

Rail Network

Questions (112)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

112. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if the construction of the National Train Control Centre is on budget; the amount that has been spent to date on the National Train Control Centre; the estimated amount that will be spent in total; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42065/21]

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 the National Train Control Centre.

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

Transport Policy

Questions (113)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

113. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding for transport projects that has been bid for and or awarded under the European Regional Development Fund in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42066/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

In 2020 and to date in 2021, my Department has not been awarded funding under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) but is currently actively pursuing ERDF funding opportunities under this programme.

The European Regional Development Fund aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. In 2021-2027 it will enable investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens.

Overall responsibility for the European Regional Development Fund falls to the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform whereby Ireland will receive €351 million for the 2021-2027 programming period.

The ERDF planning process involves the three Regional Assemblies. In December 2020 the Regional Assemblies oversaw the production of a paper setting out high level priorities for the 2021-2027 ERDF Operational Programmes. These priorities have emerged from the Regional strategies (RSES), the Needs Analysis in relation to ERDF and the public consultation.

Three main Themes or priorities were identified:

- Smart cities, smart regions: ERDF should support innovation, digitisation, economic transformation and small and medium-sized businesses in keeping with smart specialisation strategies to support sustainable economic development and offer the population places where they can live and work.

- Low-carbon and climate resilience: ERDF should help Ireland and its regions fight against climate change and protect the environment, which will in turn improve the overall quality of life.

- Urban dimension: ERDF should support the development of Irish towns and cities through an integrated approach combining the three following dimensions: green, smart and people-focused.

Based on the three thematic areas identified the three Regional Assemblies are currently in the process of extensive engagement with government departments, including my Department, to develop proposals for the ERDF Operational Programme.

Transport Policy

Questions (114)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

114. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding for transport projects that has been bid for and or awarded under the PEACE+ programme in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42067/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The new PEACE PLUS Programme 2021-2027, which will build upon previous PEACE and INTERREG Programmes, will provide opportunities under the EU policy objective of “a more connected Europe”, contributing to the cross-border economic and territorial development of the region. In this regard, there has been significant bilateral engagement between my Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, in consultation with the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, to examine potential sustainable transport projects that fit the PEACE PLUS criteria.

Once funding arrangements are finalised, the draft PEACE PLUS co-operation programme will be brought to Government and to the Northern Ireland Executive for consideration and approval, before submission to the European Commission for its consideration. It is anticipated that the first funding awards under PEACE PLUS will be made during 2022.

The INTERREG VA Programme, a predecessor of the PeacePlus Programme, is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The eligible area for funding includes Northern Ireland, Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Louth, and Western Scotland.

Match-funding is provided by both the Department of Transport in Ireland and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland to the SEUPB for three Transport-related projects under the INTERREG VA Programme. Up to 95% of Department funding is reimbursed from EU Commission via SEUPB.

The three projects funded are:

- The North West Multi-Modal Mobility Hub in Derry - This project was awarded approximately €23.5 million to develop a cross-border multi-modal hub which facilitates a shift to public transport by providing modern, integrated services such as park and ride, public cycle schemes and car share. Works were completed at the Hub in 2020 and it is fully operational;

- Development of a cross-border Greenway and cycle network - work is ongoing on the construction of the three Greenways under this project, namely:

- The Carlingford Lough Greenway, awarded almost €3.5m for the creation of over 10km of cross-border Greenway linking Newry to Carlingford;

- The North West Greenway Network, awarded €14.8m for the creation of 46.5km of cross-border Greenway; and

- The Ulster Canal Greenway which was awarded just under €5m for the creation of 22km of Greenway between Monaghan and Armagh;

- The FASTER EV Charger Project – officially launched on 9th September 2021, this project will see the installation of over 70 electric vehicle chargers in the Irish border counties, in Northern Ireland and in Western Scotland. This project has been awarded €6.4m.

Transport Policy

Questions (115)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding for transport projects that has been bid for and or awarded under the Connecting Europe Fund to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42068/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is the EU's funding instrument to support projects on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) for the programming period 2021-2027. Funding under CEF is delivered in the form of grants allocated following competitive calls for proposals. Funding rates vary depending on the call for proposals and the type of project, generally ranging from 20% to 50% of eligible costs.

The budget available for transport projects over this period is expected to be €11.3 billion, as agreed as part of the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) at European Council last July 2021. Additional funds are available to cohesion Member States which does not include Ireland.

Negotiations on a work programme for CEF for the 2021 – 2023 period are complete. The work programme, published 5 August 2021, sets out the indicative budgets and types of eligible projects that can apply for co-funding grants. The aim of publishing a 3-year work programme at this stage is to enhance predictability and transparency for stakeholders, enabling higher quality proposals to be submitted to the EU.

My Department consulted extensively with stakeholders throughout the negotiation process to ensure the work programme is aligned as closely as possible to Ireland’s needs and advocated for our position at CEF Committee, directly with other Member States, and on a bilateral basis with the European Commission.

Details of the drawdown of EU funding provided under the previous CEF programme to 2020 is not readily available by year. Further details on these projects, including all Irish CEF transport projects, are available on the website of the EU's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency at the following link:

ec.europa.eu/inea/sites/inea/files/cefpub/eu_investment_in_transport_in_ireland.pdf.

The results of a call in 2020 for funding proposals under the previous CEF programme were announced in July 2021. There were two applications from Ireland. One of these, Shannon-Foynes Port Company, was successful and was awarded over €2.3million in co-funding relating to a feasibility study which will provide the basis for a new deep water berth off of Foynes Island, which can accommodate larger vessels and meet project demand in the coming years.

The first call under the new CEF work programme will be launched this month and further applications from Ireland are expected at that stage. Finally, my Department continues to examine all funding opportunities and mechanisms to support the transport sector in Ireland.

Aviation Industry

Questions (116)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

116. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the total amount granted or loaned to Irish airlines and aviation companies during 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42069/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

The aviation sector is one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with all airlines seeing a severe depletion of revenue and facing various degrees of financial challenge. The knock-on implications for our airports have also been severe.

Government has put in place a range of supports for businesses, including the aviation sector. These supports include the wage subsidy scheme, waiving of commercial rates, deferral of tax liabilities, the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme, the Credit Guarantee Scheme, and the SBCI Working Capital Scheme. My Department has estimated that, by the end of June this year, our airlines and airports would have received at least €300 million through several of these supports.

Liquidity funding is also available through the ISIF Pandemic Stabilisation and Recovery Fund for medium and large enterprises, with Aer Lingus having received a €150 million debt facility and daa having received a €40 million participation in their bond issuance.

In November 2020, Government agreed a revised funding package of €80 million specifically for Irish aviation for 2021. €21 million is being provided under the Regional Airports Programme (2021-2025). This gives funding certainty to Donegal, Kerry and Ireland West Airport Knock and supports domestic PSO routes. €32 million is being provided to Cork and Shannon Airports through a new one-year COVID-19 Regional State Airports Programme. €26 million is being provided, through a European Commission approved Irish State Aid scheme, to compensate airport operators for the losses caused by COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by Ireland to limit its spread. The scheme will augment the supports already in place and help the industry to maintain connectivity and recover from the impact of COVID-19.

On 1 June 2021, Government launched its Economic Recovery Plan 2021, with the goal of achieving rapid job creation and economic growth after the pandemic. This plan sets out new measures for businesses and affected sectors as the economy reopens, and details for existing emergency pandemic financial supports including the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), giving certainty to employers, workers, and for those who need it most. Importantly, this plan also recognised that additional support may be required for the recovery of the aviation sector.

Public Transport

Questions (117)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

117. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider the trial of free public transport in Cork city and county. [42099/21]

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 the statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services and also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those services comprises both the fares paid by passengers and the subvention payments from the Exchequer. The main purpose of the subvention payment is to meet the gap between income from fares and the cost of operating services.

The provision of public transport services is heavily dependent on passenger fare revenue as it normally contributes about 65% of the operational cost. The remaining 35% of cost is covered by the PSO grant and the Department of Social Protection grant under the Free Travel Scheme. In Budget 2020, and prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of €304 million was provided for PSO and Local Link rural regular services. Due to the impact of Covid-19, which resulted in the collapse of fare revenue on public transport, a further €370 million was allocated to enable the continued operation of public transport services in 2020. My primary focus is to ensure that public transport services continue to operate during this pandemic and I secured almost €659m for PSO services in 2021, of which €30m is to support the licensed bus sector.

Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance. I understand that the NTA has no plans to pilot a free public transport scheme.

Driver Test

Questions (118)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

118. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting time for a driving test in Raheny test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42118/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. The information requested is held by the RSA.

This question is therefore being referred 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.

Driver Test

Questions (119)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

119. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting time for a driver theory test in Raheny test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42119/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Theory

Test. The information requested is held by the RSA.

This question is therefore being referred 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.

National Development Plan

Questions (120)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

120. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport the amount of funding committed to under the National Development Plan for road projects that is allocated to road projects outside of Dublin; the amount that is allocated to road projects in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42146/21]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing capital funding in relation to the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan.

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII to provide you with the information requested. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Driver Test

Questions (121)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

121. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are persons whose driver theory tests have been postponed at short notice on multiple occasions; if a person (details supplied) will be assured that the test will not be postponed again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42162/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Theory Test. The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority and the Theory Test provider.

This question is therefore being referred 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.