Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
540. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport his views on introducing financial supports for those training to become approved driving instructors given high associated fees and delays in driving test availability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21181/25]
View answerUnder the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes the registration of Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs).
Driving instruction in Ireland is provided by ADIs who are registered with the RSA having qualified and received a permit to practice as an ADI. Becoming an ADI is a private, commercial endeavour and no consideration has been given to providing financial supports for training.
The ADI qualification process includes a driving test to verify ability to work as a driving instructor. the backlog that has arisen in terms of the capacity of the driver testing service and incoming demand for tests has had knock-on implications for the availability and timeliness of tests for prospective ADIs.
I would like to assure the Deputy that measures have been taken to address this issue, however. To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery, in September 2024 my Department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. I understand that the recruitment process is well underway, with the first tranche of new testers being deployed into service this month. As additional testers enter the system, testing capacity will increase and I expect that we will begin to see progress on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.
