Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:114 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, in place to introduce the registration of driving schools and the testing and certification of driving instructors. [18997/98]
Written Answers. - Driving Instructor Register.
The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002 proposes a range of measures designed to improve the formation and training of drivers. These include assisting the driver instructor register towards quality certification; the introduction of a theory test separate from the driving test; the possibility of a new training initiative for motor cyclists and a longer term significant reduction in the number of drivers relying on a provisional licence.
Many driving instructors are currently enrolled under the voluntary driver instructor register which is financially supported by my Department and the Irish Insurance Federation. My Department has offered to provide additional financial assistance to the driver instructor register to enable it to attain an appropriate quality certification so as to further enhance confidence in it.