Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 July 2020
74. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will issue specific Covid-19 return to work guidelines to driver instructors in view of the nature of their profession which entails being in a confined space with their student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17556/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision taken by Government, following the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team, to allow for the reopening of certain businesses, including driving instruction, as part of the revised Phase 3 of the Roadmap for reopening the country, was based on assessments of the level of risk to public health of reopening these businesses. It is not an instruction to open such businesses but a recommendation that it can be safe do so, provided appropriate measures to protect the health of workers and customers are taken.
In terms of guidance to assist businesses, including driving instructors, a National Return to Work Safely Protocol has been produced under the aegis of the Labour Employer Economic Forum and is the result of a collaborative effort by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Health Services Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The HSA has in turn produced COVID-19 checklists and templates, based on the Protocol, to help employers, business owners and managers to get their business up and running again and to inform workers about what they need to do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.
The RSA developed protocols in relation to the resumption of driver testing, based on the overall national protocol and the additional templates and checklists from the HSA. I understand that the National Office of Traffic Medicine was also available to the RSA to assist in its task. The RSA shared these protocols with driving instructors via a series of Frequently Asked Questions when, in anticipation of the resumption of driver testing on 29 June, the Authority wrote to each Approved Driving Instructor(ADI) on 22 June, advising them of the planned phased return of driver testing. These protocols may assist driving instructors in taking the necessary measures resuming their businesses safely.
Neither the RSA nor the Department can instruct driving schools on how they should run their business. It is up to each driving instructor or driving school to protect themselves, their families and customers by adhering to the official Government guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.
When reviewing proposals from the RSA for resuming services in line with the Roadmap, the Department asked about engagement with the ADI sector in relation to the plan. The Department was advised that the RSA was engaging with the Stakeholder Forum for ADIs as well as communicating directly with each ADI to update them and to direct their attention to information on the RSA website including the Frequently Asked Questions. In dealing with ADIs on COVID and indeed on other matters, it is important to note they are not employees or contractors of the RSA but are individual/independent operators.
