Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2004
145 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport if the status of the driving instructors registered with the Driving Register of Ireland will be recognised by the new driver testing and standards authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33982/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 154 on Thursday, 14 October 2004.
Proposals being developed by my Department for the regulation and quality assurance of driving instruction will involve a test of the competence of individual instructors. A working group comprising representatives of my Department and of instruction interests has formulated the design of the standards that a driving instructor must meet. I am considering what arrangements will be put in place to oversee implementation of the standard in the context of the establishment of the driver testing and standards authority. The Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill 2004, which provides for the establishment of the authority was published on 6 July 2004 and the Second Stage debate commenced on 14 October 2004.
Regulations will be required to give effect to the proposals for introducing regulation of driving instruction and the position of existing driving instructors will be considered in the context of drafting of the regulations.
