Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
120. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will take their driver theory test given that it is essential for their continued employment and that previous scheduled tests have been cancelled three times putting their employment in jeopardy. [11237/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheduling of candidates’ driving theory tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have no information on individual cases.
The Driver Theory Test was not deemed to be an essential service under Level 5 restrictions, and the service has been closed since late December 2020. The service will remain closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I am sure you will agree with me that the limiting of the spread of the virus and the safeguarding of public health takes priority. We want to provide services, and we know that people are looking for services, but services can only be provided to the limit possible while preserving public health.
The RSA, together with its service provider, have put plans in place to significantly increase capacity within the service when it is allowed to re-open. To cope with the initial four-month suspension in 2020, the service increased capacity from an average pre Covid19 capacity of 15,000 to over 25,000 monthly. A plan is being progressed to increase this capacity up to 50,000 per month when service resumes, to manage the backlog of customers and shorten waiting times .
