Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2023
72. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport further Parliamentary Question Nos. 233 and 234 of 18 January 2023, if he will direct the Road Safety Authority to ensure that applicants for the driver theory test with special needs, including those who are functionally illiterate, can apply for a reader recorder service by means other than writing to the Driver Theory Test Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4829/23]
View answer73. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 233 and 234 of 18 January 2023, the locations of the driver theory test centres at which the reader recorder service is currently available to applicants; the number of applicants who used the service at each centre in each of the years 2018-2022, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4830/23]
View answer74. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport further Parliamentary Question Nos. 233 and 234 of 18 January 2023, if he will direct the Road Safety Authority to promote and advertise the reader recorder service in order that applicants for the driver theory test with special needs, including those who are functionally illiterate, can be made aware of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4831/23]
View answer75. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport further Parliamentary Question Nos. 233 and 234 of 18 January 2023, how the reader recorder service available to applicants for the driver theory test with special needs, including those who are functionally illiterate, operates in practice for the user; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4832/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 73, 74 and 75 together.
The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the 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.
I understand that the RSA operates a service that is accessible to the widest possible range of applicants, bearing in mind also that safety on our roads remains of paramount importance. The RSA has informed the Department of alternative channels to written requests for those in need of support.
