Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 October 2025
79. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the closure of the Charlestown driving test centre; if the Road Safety Authority consulted with his Department prior to the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55649/25]
View answer80. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if a lease remains in place for the Charlestown Driving Test Centre; the term of the lease and the annual cost of the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55650/25]
View answer81. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if the Finglas driving test centre has sufficient capacity to absorb the testers and candidates previously assigned to Charlestown; the assessment which has been carried out to ensure service levels are maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55651/25]
View answer82. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the impacts which have been observed in Finglas since the closure of the Charlestown driving test centre, including changes in waiting times, pass rates, or operational pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55652/25]
View answer83. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the communication protocols which exist between the Road Safety Authority and local authorities regarding infrastructure changes near driving test centres; the reason there was a breakdown in communication in the case of Charlestown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55653/25]
View answer84. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the lessons which have been learned from the closure of the Charlestown driving test centre; the way in which these will inform future site selection, stakeholder engagement, and contingency planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55654/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 and 84 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service including the operation of driver test centres. This includes decisions on opening and closing test centres. In that regard my Department has no role in such decisions.
My Department was informed by the RSA of its intention not to renew the lease for the Charlestown driving test centre, which was originally opened as a temporary overflow facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department was informed that this decision was taken by the RSA for health and safety reasons and that contingency plans would be put in place to ensure that people awaiting a driving test would not be negatively impacted by this decision.
Accordingly, the detailed information requested relating to Charlestown Driving Test Centre is held by the RSA. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
