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Driver Test

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021

Thursday, 11 November 2021

Questions (229)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

229. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to an issue at a driver test centre (details supplied). [55312/21]

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Written answers

Operational arrangements at test centres, including the availability of waiting and washing facilities, are a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I understand that the Authority decided to temporarily close public toilet and waiting facilities in the interests of public safety and as part of its overall Covid-19 resumption of service protocols and in line with health and safety risk assessment procedures, which had to be adopted as part of the RSA's resumption plans. It took account of guidance issued by the Health and Safety Authority and the return to work safely protocol agreed by the Labour and Employer Economic Forum, LEEF.

In response to a formal request to review these arrangements, the Authority wrote to my Department outlining the absolute necessity of retaining these safety measures. While the Authority recognises that this may be inconvenient for partners, family members and indeed driving instructors who accompany learner drivers to their tests, the fact remains that the more people who enter a building, the greater the risk of Covid spreading. The safety of staff and the public in general must remain the Road Safety Authority's number one priority at this time.

I would also note that if accompanying persons were allowed to enter test centres, it would mean a potential doubling of the numbers entering centres, and this could be accommodated only by a significant reduction in the numbers of tests offered, with inevitable increases in waiting times for the test.

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