Vol. 488 No. 3
9 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the recent call from the Consumers Association of Ireland for the introduction of a compulsory register for driving instructors, in view of the need to improve driving standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5859/98]
A voluntary scheme of registration of driving instructors, the Driving Instructor Register of Ireland Limited, has been established jointly by two national associations representing motor schools and driving instructors in association with the Irish Insurance Federation and with financial assistance from my Department and the federation. The scheme aims to raise the standard of driving instruction and, by extension, the standard of driving generally and provides for reduced car insurance premiums for drivers, including young drivers, who complete a course of instruction with a qualified instructor. It will be appropriate to monitor the progress of this scheme for a period before contemplating any more formal regulation of driving instruction.
