Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
368. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether any complaints, concerns or escalation requests have been received by his Department regarding delayed, unanswered or lost driver licensing representations submitted by public representatives since 2024; and if he will provide the annual totals and broad categories of issues raised. [39255/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra371. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department exercises any oversight role regarding the responsiveness and correspondence-handling performance of the Road Safety Authority and National Driver Licence Service; whether any key performance indicators are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39258/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 371 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Neither I nor my Department has a role in determining the outcomes or processing of individual cases.
In line with other public bodies, the RSA is subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. In that regard, an Oversight Agreement and a Performance Delivery Agreement are in place between my Department and the RSA which set out the roles and responsibilities of the Authority, and define:
• the statutory and policy framework within which the RSA must operate;
• the respective roles and responsibilities of the RSA and the Department;
• key outputs, performance indicators and reporting requirements; and
• the governance, compliance and assurance obligations placed on the RSA.
As part of this oversight structure my Department holds four governance meetings - one per quarter - annually with RSA senior management where the RSA reports on all areas of its work, including in relation to the NDLS.
These quarterly meetings are complemented by monthly operational meetings with RSA staff responsible for each of the Authority’s services to review operational and emerging issues, including any delays impacting services.
I recognise the importance of agencies under my remit responding promptly to correspondence from public representatives. While I am aware that some queries of a particularly technical nature may require longer for the preparation of a comprehensive response, this should not be the norm and public representatives have a reasonable expectation that their queries will be dealt with efficiently on a consistent basis. My officials will continue to raise such issues with the RSA as part of the ongoing governance and oversight structures.
