This reform follows an external review by Indecon consultants, which assessed the RSA’s mandate. The report recommended a review of fees for RSA customer services, such as driver testing and licensing, due to the agency’s “current unsustainable funding model.” The report suggests a likely need for fee increases in 2025, with smaller increases in following years, though these should depend on the RSA meeting specific service level targets.

The primary recommendation Is to split the RSA’s responsibilities into two distinct agencies: one dedicated to road safety services, including driver testing and licensing, and another focused on broader public interest activities, like media campaigns and education.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan received Government approval for this proposal on Tuesday, with the Department of Transport describing it as a “radical transformation” in road safety measures.

Under the approved plan, one agency will manage the delivery of road safety services and operations, while the other will oversee wider safety initiatives, including education, research, and media campaigns.

Minister Ryan noted that Irish roads have seen significant improvements in safety over the past decades, with annual road deaths falling from 365 in 2006 to a record low of 133 in 2021. He credited the RSA’s work but acknowledged that recent trends in fatalities and serious injuries are concerning. He emphasized the need for a renewed, comprehensive approach to road safety, with the aim of reversing the increase in accidents and ensuring safer roads for all.