Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
105. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport the arrangements currently in place to facilitate essential driving training lessons to be carried out in Portlaoise, County Laois and the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42008/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoad safety policy during the pandemic has depended on public health decisions taken by Government, on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
There is currently no legal impediment to the provision of driving lessons, provided public health guidelines are adhered to. However, the position is that these lessons can resume where the learner in question is willing to book a class and the instructor is willing to teach it. It does not mean that instruction has to resume, or that driving instructors are obliged to teach against their will.
As the Deputy will be aware, approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) are entirely independent operators and neither the Road Safety Authority nor the Department can dictate how they run their individual businesses. It is up to each driving instructor or driving school to make the appropriate choices to protect themselves and their families.
