I raise the issue of learning to drive and supporting approved driving instructors in this country. I was on the phone this morning to a driver instructor in Cork. His name is Michael Kenrick, and he runs a page, Get Your Licence. He was updating me on some of the challenges that instructors are facing. First, they are not entitled to any grants for electric vehicles, whereas taxi drivers, for example, can avail of a grant of up to €25,000. I believe this needs to be reviewed. Driving instructors are often the first port of call when educating anyone on driving, and also introducing them to different vehicles. This is particularly important if it is a priority for the Government to promote electric vehicles. Driving instructors should also be supported to move in that direction. This needs to be reviewed.

Second, it was quite alarming to hear that approved driving instructors in Ireland, who have a stakeholder forum elected by them, have not been invited to the Road Safety Authority, RSA, conference. They do not get invited to the RSA conference on an annual basis. I would like to get clarity on that from the Minister because it is important they are involved in any discussions in relation to road safety.

We also need to look at further reducing the waiting times for driving tests in this country. Currently, in the Cork-Kerry area, you are looking at waiting anywhere between ten and 13 weeks for a driving test. That is still quite a long wait. We also need to look at the policies that are in place if you do not show up to your driving test or cancel it. You can currently cancel within ten days. You do not even have to inform them you are cancelling, and you will be put back to the start of the list again. That window should be closed to 72 hours, potentially, to put more impetus on people to give notice when they are cancelling. It is a common communication best practice that should be in place.

There are a number of areas that need to be looked at. I would welcome further discussion in this House on that whole area of learning to drive and supporting driving instructors and road safety. Writing to the Minister in relation to this issue would be appreciated.