248. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport if driving licence fees, learner permit fees, or driving test fees are waived, reduced, or paid on an applicant's behalf by his Department, the Road Safety Authority, or any other State body for asylum seekers or refugees; if so, the legal or administrative basis for this; the annual cost in each year since asylum seekers became eligible to apply for a driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67733/26]

249. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Transport the number of driving licence and/or learner permit applications received nationally from asylum seekers and refugees in each of the years 2022 and to date in 2026; the number of those applications approved, refused, or still pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67732/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of both the National Driver Licence Service and the National Driver Testing Service.

The RSA does not collect information on whether an applicant for a driving licence and/or learner permit is an asylum seeker or refugee. The RSA does not waive nor pay the fees relating to driving licencing, learner permits or driving tests for asylum seekers nor for refugees. However, driving licences are issued free of charge to any person aged 70 or over.

Any person resident in Ireland can apply for an Irish learner permit or driving licence. People resident in Ireland must have a valid Irish or other EU licence to drive here. Ireland provides two pathways for holders of third-country licences: direct exchange where a bilateral agreement exists, or a streamlined process for experienced drivers (holding a licence for 2 years or more), including reduced Essential Driver Training requirements and exemption from the 6-month waiting period for a driving test.