Jerry Buttimer
Cork South-Central · Fine Gael · Ireland
“Its priority is to provide scheduled public transport services on the TFI network. It works with event organisers, operators, local authorities and An Garda Síochána to provide additional transport supports where it is possible to do so.”
“I commit to relaying the points the Senator has made on the floor of the House, and has conveyed to me in private, to the Department of Transport. To be fair to the Senator, it was not only this morning that he has articulated this. The travelling supporters of Kerry and Mayo deserve additional transport.”
“I understand from the company that the Expressway team is currently examining whether additional services on route 22 will be added on the morning of Sunday, 26 July.”
“In this case, for Kerry and Mayo, as the Senator rightly said, it will see a high demand for scheduled and additional services. The Senator has outlined the volume of tickets sales. This is the busiest time for scheduled intercity services anyway, given that it is peak summer time, and that is a priority.”
“I understand from speaking to Irish Rail that it hopes to be in a position to confirm the number of additional services later this week - I am hoping this will be today or tomorrow - and it will advise customers as soon as these services are available to book.”
“The Senator mentioned Sneem and Ventry. He and I will remember our great friends, the late, great John Egan and Paudie O'Shea, as well as the Senator's brother Tim. I get emotional because they were great GAA people. Cork and Kerry have the best supporters of the GAA.”
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“In this regard, communication with stakeholders such as that which takes place at the public transport safety working group will play an important role in the planning and implementation of the Government commitment to create a transport security force. I give Deputy Ó Muirí a commitment that I will come back to him with the timeline for the northside personnel. I will inform the NTA and the Department of Transport of the issues he raises. Work is ongoing on the commitment to ensure the optimised deployment of resources across the public transport network to meet passenger requirements. I again thank the Deputy for raising the matter this morning.”
“The public transport safety working group was established in 2024 to identify measures to improve passenger and staff safety across the public transport network, and includes representatives from across the public transport sector, operating companies, unions, the NTA, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and passenger representative groups. The main focus of the group is to create a public transport safety charter and to progress the NTA safety and security implementation plan. The Department of Transport continues to work closely with industry stakeholders to identify measures to improve passenger safety across the public transport network.”
“Throughout these discussions, operators have continuously stressed their strong and close working relationships with An Garda Síochána on these matters. It is important to note that decisions regarding the policing of public transport and the allocation of Garda resources are matters for the Minister of Justice and the Garda Commissioner. The allocation of security staff employed by the various operators, such as Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Transdev, are matters for the operators. In the case of Dublin Bus, for example, resources are allocated throughout the day to areas in line with front-line worker feedback, reports received from the public and data on passenger usage. A great deal of work to tackle antisocial behaviour on public transport has already commenced, including the establishment of a public transport safety working group.”
“The work involves making measured and informed decisions regarding the appropriate model for the transport security force, which is in the preliminary stages of the deliberative process. It is important to note that neither the airport police nor customs officers have the powers provided to An Garda Síochána, and the introduction of such a force will require the development of legislation. Nonetheless, the Government commitment to delivering a safe and secure public transport network, and the ongoing interim work on public transport safety, will continue, as will the continued support and funding for operator measures, such as the Dublin Bus Safer Journeys Team pilot scheme. The Department of Transport engages regularly with the NTA and public transport operators on the safety and security of the network.”
“While recent years have seen significant progress on investment in safety measures, antisocial behaviour on public transport remains a serious issue, and it is those who regularly use and work within the public transport network who are most directly impacted by safety or security incidents on the network. I commend Dermot O'Leary of the NBRU for his advocacy and work. The establishment of a transport security force will play a central role in helping to tackle this important issue. Work in the Department of Transport is ongoing to identify the necessary legislative proposals to progress the transport security force commitment, in conjunction with the NTA.”
“I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. I join the Deputy in thanking Councillor Singh for her advocacy and proactivity on the matter. The Deputy is right: antisocial behaviour on our public transport system needs to be addressed. It has been tolerated for far too long. While the Minister for Transport has no responsibility for policy and funding, as that is a matter for the NTA, the programme for Government has a strong commitment to the creation of a transport security force under the National Transport Authority, which would operate and have similar powers to airport police and customs officers.”
“I am confident that the NTA, which has committed to writing to representatives, can address the matter. This is about a modernisation and improvement of our overall transport network. It is about increasing capacity, frequency and coverage across Dublin and other cities and ensuring that we do not discommode people. Obviously, everybody will not get what they want but in this case, it is about working to bring a solution that is practical. I again thank Deputy Cummins for raising the matter. I assure her that I will bring her comments back to the NTA.”
“I have been informed that for residents in Inchichore along the G spine, the wait time between the high-frequency buses has significantly dropped, maybe in part because of the active engagement by residents. Bus reliability has improved as a result of this redesign. I understand that the changes proposed to the bus services in Inchichore are causing concerns. Some of those can be alleviated and can be addressed. The issue relates to the geography of the bus route, the frequency and the connections. That is part of what the public consultation must be about. The Deputy and residents bring knowledge that engineers, with the best will in the world, do not necessarily have. Having a map and going through a particular area sounds greats, looks great and reads great, but it is about the day-to-day practicalities.”
“I thank the Deputy for again articulating people's genuine concerns. As public representatives, it is important that we highlight that the redesigned bus network for Dublin was finalised following three rounds of extensive public consultations. This culminated in over 72,000 submissions being received. Part of the difficulty that I experience in Cork, and I am sure that Deputies Cummins and Devine are the same in their area, is that there needs to be extensive engagement, active listening and participation by all the residents, us as public representatives and the NTA. BusConnects is about transforming public transport. We all share that. There is no argument there. Passenger numbers are increasing.”
“The NTA has advised that there has been a 25% increase in passenger boardings following the introduction of new services provided under phase 4 of the roll-out, compared with equivalent routes operating prior to the launch of this phase. For Inchicore, the current routes 13, 68 and 69 will be replaced as part of the D spine. Specifically, the overall replacement for route 13 will be the new route D3 running from Clongriffin to Clondalkin via Crumlin, while routes 68 and 69 are being replaced locally by a new route 58. I am informed by the NTA that these changes are planned for the first half of next year. I have been advised that the NTA is aware of the concerns of residents about new route 58 in Inchicore and will write to representatives about this in the near future.”
“The bus network changes in Inchicore form part of this city-wide programme. New services are being provided, running with co-ordinated timetables at high-frequency along each of the main radial corridors to and from the city centre. This is combined with new inter-suburban and local routes. Free interchange is available using the 90-minute fare. As the Deputy is well aware, the new BusConnects Dublin network is being implemented in stages. For Inchicore, phase 4 saw the introduction of the G spine routes connecting Ballyfermot, Liffey Valley and the Red Cow to the Docklands via Inchicore. These services are all operated by Dublin Bus on a 24-hour basis.”
“The main point we must both work on is to make sure that BusConnects is transformative for our bus system, providing a better bus service across our cities, particularly in Dublin, for the people who use this service. The key elements of BusConnects in Dublin include the construction of segregated bus and cycling lanes, or core bus corridors, as well as a redesigned network of services. I am pleased to announce that An Bord Pleanála has now approved all 12 core bus corridor applications, and I expect to see the first of these corridors enter construction later this year. The primary aim of the redesigned bus network in BusConnects Dublin is to improve the existing bus system through enhanced services with high-frequency spines and new local, orbital and radial routes.”
“I reassure the Deputy that the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and useful sustainable travel options and public transport is an important part of that. BusConnects is critical to that offering. In budget 2025, €658 million of funding for public service obligation, PSO, in my case was obtained through the Department for Local Link services, which represents an increase from the €613 million. However, we have been encouraging young people through the fare reduction, the young adult card on commercial bus services and the 90-minute fare until the end of this year. There is also funding for those aged between five and eight years old.”
“I will take the Deputy's concerns back to the NTA and I thank her and the people in Connecting Communities. I know my previous colleague, former Senator Seery-Kearney, had been active on behalf of residents. The first thing is that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport, but the Minister or his officials do not have responsibility for the day to day operation of public transport services. That falls to the NTA, as the Deputy knows. The NTA, on behalf of Government, works with public transport operators to deliver services and has responsibility for day to day operational matters. In the context of BusConnects, the NTA is the group that is in charge of its implementation.”
“I thank Deputy Cummins for her contribution and as a public representative I fully understand the stress that BusConnects is causing. I have the same experience in Cork. In many ways the reply I am going to give her will not be the response she perhaps deserves. She is right that I am not familiar with the geographical area, but going through her constituency on the way in and out of Dublin you can see the importance of BusConnects and the Conyngham Road to Thomas Street geographical imbalance. I am struck by her comments about the 40% who have no car. Am I correct that the Deputy said the 57 bus?”
“Reducing waiting times is a priority. We should not compromise on testing standards and we should ensure that recruitment delivers sufficient testing capacity of an appropriate standard. Senator Craughwell's contribution is one that I will consider, but the issue of pension abatement may be a stumbling block. I thank the Senator for his comments and his commitment. We are at the beginning of a new chapter. I hope that when I or the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, come back to the House, we will see the additional capacity bringing a solution, wait times being progressively reduced and a better outcome for people. I thank all Senators for their contributions.”
“It is a minor figure that shows the system is working. Prior to the change in the system, we had a 95% utilisation rate. The rate is now up to 98%. That shows this is working and that transparency in terms of publishing information does work. I reiterate that I and my colleagues in government recognise the significant impact this is having on people. We are making changes and trying to improve public transport. My role in the Department of Rural and Community Development is also about ensuring we have a better public transport offering. There is a commitment by the RSA. On Thursday, we will see the publication of the plan for a waiting time of ten weeks by September. That plan will set out the actions. We will hold the RSA to account. I am confident the targets for service improvement will deliver real progress beginning this month.”
“The RSA introduced a new IT system, which brought about improvements to maximise the number of test slots and reduce the number of test slots lost due to cancellations and no-shows. I reiterate for Members that once individuals have been invited to book tests, they can book slots that have been released at short notice following a cancellation on the MyRoadSafety portal. I will take back Senator Tully's point that a one-hour wait on the app is too long. It should be easier and user-friendly. Nothing is worse than bad customer service or poor apps. I am sure all of us have been on different systems to book things. As you get to the ninth step of ten, you miss something and must go back to the first step. I will bring back the Senator's point. I will give a figure to the Members of the House.”
“As additional testers enter the system, the testing capacity will increase and progress should be seen in a reduction in waiting times. Senator Lynch asked about the timeline for testers being put in place. There has been a change in respect of overtime and work patterns. I thank the existing staff, who do an incredible job. They are not at fault for the delay. They are doing the best they can. Perhaps in some cases there is a persnicketiness around different things. We must remember that extensive voluntary overtime helped last year. That included weekend rostering and working. The incentivisation programme is being considered for this year as well. I will clear up an anomaly and misunderstanding about the IT system.”
“The additional driving testers who were sanctioned have been recruited. Some of them started last month and others are starting this month. There has been a doubling of the staff sanctioned in a two-year period. More than 200 roles have been advertised. The numbers reflect the fact that between 2023 and 2024, waiting times halved. That is where the number comes from in terms of the whole piece around recruitment. Senator Tully mentioned the issue of retirement, which needs to be factored in, and I am told it has been. The RSA has told us it is confident that the permanent positions now on offer will attract and retain more testers than was the case with the temporary sanction. We will see those vacancies filled fully.”
“I hope those in this Chamber who spoke about the headline piece will remember that the RSA will report every two weeks to the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. That will give greater transparency to Members of the Oireachtas and, more importantly, to an gná duine, the citizen outside who is coming to us with expectations and demands. Where there is a risk that the September timeline will not be met, the RSA has been instructed to ensure that contingency plans and remedial measures are put in place and ready to deploy to ensure there is no slippage in that timeline. As I have said, our population has increased significantly. There was a record number of applicants for a driving test last year. There were 275,000 new test applications. The RSA is responsible and the Department is working to support it.”
“We need accountability. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, has met representatives of the RSA. There has been engagement and a restructuring of the RSA is coming. The RSA, which is the statutory body, has given a commitment to returning the service to the target average waiting time of ten weeks by early September. As I said, this will happen in a number of stages. At the end of this month, the average waiting time will be 22 weeks and at the end of June, it will be 18 weeks, and so on. Let me make a point to the people who speak about accountability. The RSA will publish its plan on Thursday. It will set out the pathway and timeline. It will then report to the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, on the progress of its plan every two weeks.”
“The ten-week target time must be achieved because of the examples Senators have shared in the Chamber and those with which we deal every day. Delays have a high impact on the lives of people. Senators Brady, Sarah O'Reilly, Tully and Cosgrove all gave examples of people whose lives and livelihoods have been impacted. It is a rite of passage. We need to take back that ten-week waiting time. It is about ensuring as part of our road safety strategy that we meet our ambition of halving our road deaths and serious injuries this decade. That will be done by having a service that is competent and delivers, and ensures that all drivers are well-trained and equipped to deal with the challenges of a modern road network and what driving requires of us all. Let me be clear. I will go to Ballina and will bring Senator Duffy with me.”
“What we must do is to put in place a reliable, high-quality driver testing service that is available to all our neighbours and family members across the country. We are actively looking at additional centres, including one in Drogheda. We have started the process of recruitment. We are conscious as a Government, as I am as the Minister of State with responsibility for rural transport, of the deficit of public transport in rural life and areas. We are committed to increasing the supply of public transport, as we have. Let us be clear, no matter who we are or where we come from ideologically, we are all in agreement about the need to decisively address the long-standing issue relating to service provision and ensure we get answers for our friends, families and neighbours.”
“I thank Members for their contributions. There is nothing that divides us in this debate, including the need for action and proactivity. I reiterate that the Minister and Ministers of State in the Department, in particular Deputy Canney, recognise everything Senators have said today. I smile when I hear people talk abut managing headlines. The only headline I want refers to a reduction in waiting times. We want the people about whom all of the Senators spoke to be able to get a test. We are committed to that. If I wanted to manage a headline, I would come into the House and offer different propaganda. I did not do that. The waiting times are unacceptable and we accept that. We want to solve the issue, not to spin, or to go out on social media, get a headline with our supporters and blame the Government for everything that is wrong.”
“This demand can be seen in the number of learner permits in circulation and the record number of advanced driving instructors working in the sector to deliver lessons to learners. My time has elapsed, so I will conclude by saying I am acutely aware of the frustration and hardship caused by excessive wait times. All Ministers in the Department are actively engaging with the RSA on accelerating recruitment and deployment of additional driver testers. The fortnightly reporting will be a benchmark and will be an accountable piece that was not available heretofore. I look forward to hearing suggestions and solutions from Members. We have articulated, quite rightly, the problems and it is about getting solutions now.”
“In March 2023, sanction for up to 75 additional driver testers on fixed-term contracts of up to two years resulted in the average waiting time for tests being significantly improved from a peak of 30.4 weeks in August 2023 to 14.9 weeks in April 2024. The RSA expects a similar positive impact on wait times as the additional permanent driver testers come on stream. While the growth in wait times is unacceptable, it has arisen due to a fundamental mismatch between the demand for driving tests and available testing capacity in the RSA in recent years. Following Covid, a large backlog of tests had built up. However, incoming demand is now at record and growing levels, driven by factors such as inward migration and a rising population, meaning the significant backlog has persisted.”
“Recruitment is ongoing, but time is needed for a national competition of this scale. It is positive, however, that the first tranche of the new driver testers was deployed in April 2025 and is now conducting tests. I understand these testers have their home bases in counties like Cork and Dublin, but it is important to note that the driver testers can be deployed anywhere in the country in response to demand pressures. As additional testers enter the system and are assigned across the country, testing capacity will increase and progress should be seen in reducing waiting times in the months ahead.”
“The authority will now report to the Minister of State fortnightly and publish its progress against these targets, including projected waiting times and driver testing numbers by centre. This information will ensure greater transparency in relation to the steps being taken to address this issue. It will also ensure that the public will be better informed about the progress being made. The Department of Transport is continuing to support the RSA in meeting current demand and in addressing capacity issues in the service. To that end, sanction was issued in September 2024 for up to 200 permanent driver testers. This allows for the recruitment of up to 70 additional driver testers on a permanent basis and represents a doubling of the comparable sanction in place in June 2022, when the permanent headcount stood at 100 driver testers.”
“Last week, the Minister of State again met with the RSA and the authority committed to reducing the average waiting time to 22 weeks by the end of May, to 18 weeks by the end of June and to the service being returned to the target average waiting time of ten weeks by early September at the latest. There can be no deviation from this timeline. The RSA has been instructed to endure contingency plans and remedial measures are put in place and ready to be deployed to ensure no slippage occurs. In addition, at the direction of the Minister of State, the RSA will on Thursday this week publish its plan to restore the service to the ten-week waiting period. I welcome the actions outlined in this plan. It is vital that they are implemented and delivered on fully as soon as possible.”
“I acknowledge the genuine, legitimate concerns and frustrations of all Senators and the public regarding this issue. As a constituency politician, I am fully aware of the frustration and annoyance felt by so many of our fellow citizens. This situation is having a very negative impact across the country and it is vital that an efficient and dependable driver testing service is restored as quickly as possible. Since coming to office, my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, has prioritised this matter and engaged with the members of the RSA leadership team to discuss their plans for restoring the service to the target waiting time. The Minister of State has made it clear to the RSA that after several years of significant delays in obtaining tests, people cannot wait another six months for the service to be restored.”
“I thank Senators for the opportunity to address them on the issue of the national driver testing service. As they are aware, the Road Safety Authority, RSA, has statutory responsibility for the national driver testing service under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006. The service has a target average waiting time of ten weeks from when someone applies to sit a test to when that test should take place. As we all know quite well, however, in recent years that target has not been met, with current waiting times far in excess of the ten weeks. They are unacceptably high. The most recent data available as at the end of April indicates that waiting times have grown to an average of 27 weeks nationally, while in the locations with the highest demand, they can be in excess of 40 weeks, which we all find intolerable.”
“I hope we can work with Donegal County Council to ensure we can prioritise investment in our regional and local roads, in particular in the Fahan area. I think all of us combined will work together to ensure funding is provided for safety improvement works in the area Senator Boyle referred to and I will raise the matter with Minister, Deputy O’Brien, who conveys his apologies for not being here this morning. I also apologise for the non-availability of the script due to a breakdown.”
“I thank the Senator again for raising the matter. He is right. It is a piece of road where there is a lot of traffic going to Derry and on the weekends it is very busy. I reiterate and join him in his final comment by saying it is the duty of us all to uphold road safety and make sure the roads are safe. I assure him the Government is fully committed to the protection and renewal of the road network. I will bring Senator Boyle's contribution back to the Department and I ask him to consider talking to Donegal County Council about its responsibility for maintaining and improving its regional road network and it can prioritise Fahan. Regarding Exchequer funding, the Government is committed to renewing and protecting our road network under the national development plan. A total of €5.35 billion has been allocated until 2030.”
“Like Senator Murphy O'Mahony's issue, it is about being creative and ensure there is flexibility in terms of low-cost accident scheme funding. It is important we support our road network being maintained and protected. At a time when we see people being killed on our roads, it is important we redouble our efforts in a variety of ways and one of these is road improvements, so I thank the Senator for raising the matter.”
“It is the case that Donegal County Council is legally responsible for ensuring its network is maintained and improved. The Department approach means that while central government is supplying significant funding, we are acknowledging that local authorities themselves are best placed to make determinations in their own areas for maximum delivery of results. Indeed, the initial selection and prioritisation of maintenance and renewal works is a matter for each local authority and Donegal County Council is the first point here. There is flexibility within the State grant programme for councils to direct resources to address particular problems identified on their networks as they see fit. I will have a word with Department officials regarding the matter Senator Boyle has raised because he is right.”
“The allocation of the three biggest Exchequer grant types for regional and local roads is based on the length of road within a local authority’s area, with additional funding based on contributing factors in specific areas. This year, more than €13 million has been allocated specifically under the safety improvement works grant programme to regional and local roads for 339 schemes in the State, while a further €12.3 million of the specific improvement grant programme was allocated to road improvement schemes related to road safety. This year, Donegal County Council has been allocated €649,500 for 14 schemes under the safety improvement works grant programme. According to the Department’s records, an application has not yet been received from Donegal County Council for funding safety improvement works in Fahan.”
“Ireland's regional and local road network spans more than 96,000 km and requires significant funding to ensure it remains fit for purpose, safe and resilient, as the Senator has rightly outlined regarding Fahan. As such, this year €713 million was allocated to regional and local roads. Due to the vast scale of the network, the Department of Transport employs an array of grant types to target investment across the regional road network. Within the budget available, State grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to ensure that all local authorities are in receipt of funds to maintain their networks.”
“The Senator is right to highlight the issues of safety in Donegal and the depth and breadth of the county and its geographical scale. The regional roads programme facilitates business, education, tourism, healthcare, agriculture and the provision of critical services and activities. It is important to highlight that, in accordance with the Roads Act 1993, the improvement and maintenance of the regional and local road network is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in this case Donegal County Council. Works on these roads are funded from the council's own resources and are supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.”
“I thank Senator Boyle for raising the matter. He has painted a wonderful picture of being in Fahan and I have been there in the beautiful Inishowen Peninsula. The Senator is right; it is a picturesque, beautiful spot. The point he makes regarding the low-cost accident scheme is an important one we need to embrace and I thank him for raising the matter. As the Senator knows quite well, the improvement works scheme when it comes to local grants and regional roads is part of the Government 2025 regional roads programme. The Government is strongly committed to it in terms of protecting and enhancing the existing road network. This network is fundamental in connecting people and places throughout the country, in particular in Donegal.”
“It is about ensuring that the disabled parking scheme provides access for everybody who needs it. It is about ensuring they can avail of parking and they can have access to important services. We have to become a bit more creative in how we think. I will certainly bring the Senator's contribution back to Minister of State, Deputy Canney.”
“I apologise to Senator Murphy O'Mahony for not having the physical reply for her. There was a breakdown in the transfer of the reply, so I apologise for that. I am wholly supportive of what the Senator wants to achieve. She is right: it is about being creative and looking at how we can do things differently. I cannot speak for them, but I know from talking to Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and Minister, Deputy O’Brien, that we are very supportive of what we are all trying to achieve. The former Minister of State, Senator Rabbitte, was trying to do that in her brief, to be fair to her. I thank Senator O'Mahony again. She has always been one to champion and push and this is an example where we can support people, their families and their carers, who are facing challenges with a disability every day.”
“However, the Department is undertaking a comprehensive three-part review of the disabled parking scheme, including a mapping of its present operation, a targeted stakeholder consultation and an analysis of its legislative basis. I can confirm on behalf of Minister of State, Deputy Canney, that permit eligibility is among the matters being considered as part of this project, with a particular emphasis on the assessment of mobility impairment. The contribution Senator Murphy O'Mahony has made this morning should feed into that review because there are more and more people who need the spaces. It is no longer the linear ones we are familiar with. I support the Senator's wish to see that review and capturing the people she has spoken about. I thank her for raising the matter.”
“As Minister of State, I am aware, as are the Minister for Transport and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, that a number of local authorities and private parking operators have installed neurodiverse-friendly parking bays at various locations throughout the country. The Senator referenced Councillor Donovan who successfully gained a number of spaces. These are what are called courtesy spaces and have no basis in statute and are not subject to Garda and traffic warden enforcement. The Department of Transport has no involvement in the provision of such spaces and does not intend to capture them within the existing statutory scheme for the reasons I have outlined.”
“It is important to recognise that the permit is about making sure that people can park close enough to reach the designated area because of their restricted mobility. The Senator is correct that drivers and passengers with cognitive impairments, including non-visible conditions, do not qualify on those grounds alone. This is because the scheme is not aimed at people with disabilities in general. It is specifically for people with impaired mobility. This is the group most in need of good physical access to services and most directly disadvantaged by inaccessible parking spaces that are too far away from their destination or the standard parking space that is too small to safely exit from a vehicle with a wheelchair, walking aid or oxygen equipment.”
“I am taking the reply on behalf of the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Canney who sends his apologies. He has responsibility for the disabled parking scheme. The scheme operates by reserving a proportion of public parking spaces for disabled parking permit holders. The permits are available to people living with mobility restriction, whether it is severe or permanent, whether they are drivers or passengers, as well as those who are registered as blind. The intention of the permit and the disabled parking scheme, more generally, is to provide access to parking bays of sufficient size close to important services such as post offices, banks, pharmacies and shops for people who would not necessarily gain access.”
“I thank the Senator for her contribution and for her ongoing advocacy for people with disabilities, including in her previous role of champion and advocate. Senator Rabbitte, who was the Minister of State in the Department, had done a lot of great work as well and the Department is reviewing this. In some way my answer to the Senator will be inadequate because she is right that the overarching approach needs to be revisited. We have a different view and understanding of disability. She is also correct in highlighting hidden disabilities. If she is referring to Councillor Donovan in the Carrigaline electoral area, I know him well. He did work experience in my office and then he went wrong. We will come back to that. I thank him for the work he is doing.”
“Genuinely, the Minister and Ministers of State in the Department of Transport all understand the frustration and annoyance and we are working hard to ensure we meet the ten week requirement.”
“The Government recognises the important significant impact that long-term waiting times for driver tests are having on people, in particular, on those residing in rural areas where there is an issue with a public transport deficit. It is important, however, that we do not compromise testing standards and instead ensure the recruitment of sufficient driver testing capacity of an appropriate standard to support safe road use. The current recruitment campaign is well advanced. Additional capacity has now entered the system and further testers will do so in the coming months. We expect to see wait times progressively reduce to the target of ten weeks from this month onwards. I thank Members for their contributions.”
“A core principle of this review is that the RSA’s customer service and operations roles be separated from its wider road safety advocacy role and this should improve focus and delivery for both. Alongside this, focus on work carried out to date under the forthcoming phase 2 of the action plan under the Government's road safety strategy, the RSA will complete its review of the driver testing curriculum and progress implementation of its recommendations in the period to the end of 2027. This review should be implemented holistically, along with any required reforms to driver instruction to help ensure that new drivers are equipped for modern driving conditions and the pass test rate increases from 50%, thereby reducing demand on the driver testing system.”