Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 5

Written Answers. - Driving Instructors.

Donal Moynihan

Ceist:

378 Mr. D. Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport the annual subvention from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, now his Department, to the DIR from 1996 to 2003; the dates payments were made; and the purpose of same. [16832/03]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

Voluntary registration of driving instructors has been promoted since 1996 through financial support for the voluntary driving instructor register of Ireland. Initial financial support was provided from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Irish Insurance Federation. Funding was dependent on a minimum membership of 300 instructors.

The Government strategy for road safety 1998-2002 recommended that the DIR scheme should for the moment remain a voluntary one, but that it should be encouraged to attain an appropriate quality certification so as to further enhance confidence in, and use of it. Additional financial assistance has been provided to the DIR which has enabled it to attain ISO 9002 certification. Driver formation has in accordance with the strategy been assisted in a number of ways including continued support for the DIR. This support has continued, pending the introduction of compulsory registration of driving instructors.

The support for the driving instructor register has been provided through the National Safety Council and details of payments are not readily available in my Department. The information will be compiled and forwarded to the Deputy.