Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
527. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer associated with State funding for a practical programme of driver education and a pathway to pass the driver theory test for final-year students at all secondary level schools, aiming to equip young adults with a potential mode of transport upon completing school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27536/23]
View answerThere are no plans at present to introduce the kind of driver education programme the Deputy refers to into the curriculum. Accordingly, no costing exercises in relation to this have been carried out by my Department.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has been involved for a number of years in providing a comprehensive integrated road safety education programme in pre-school, primary, post-primary, third level and in the community. This has been done in partnership with many organisations including the Department of Education, An Garda Síochána, the Health & Safety Authority and the Higher Education Authority. As part of this, the RSA has developed a range of material that teachers can use to educate school children about road safety as it applies to all road users – pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and motorists. The resources are tailored to each user group. These are available on their website Road safety education for secondary school students (rsa.ie). In addition, while at post-primary level there are no plans to introduce mandatory driver education classes, basic tuition to lay a foundation in driver education is featured on many school curricula already.
In relation to 16-18 year olds, there are opportunities built into the programmes for students to engage with the content of the driver theory test. For example, the 'Your road to safety' Transition Year programme, consists of a 45-hour version and a 20-hour fast-track option. The programme provides important educational material and learning on road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists. It covers such issues as seatbelts and airbags, driver fatigue, drink/drug driving, road-safety engineering and enforcement, basic first aid at road crashes, emergency services and rehabilitation, licensing and insurance issues, the NCT, purchasing a car and driving abroad. The programme does not include driving lessons. However, relevant driver theory test content is included at the end of each module.
