asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the inordinate delay which applicants for driving tests are experiencing; and if he will take immediate steps to have this situation improved.
88.
Written Answers. - Driving Test Delay.
430.
asked the Minister for the Environment the current delay in the greater Dublin area for applicants waiting to undergo the driving licence test.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 88 together.
Arising out of the exceptional and sustained increase in the demand for driving tests over the past year, there is at present an abnormal waiting period for driving tests throughout the country. The period is about 22 weeks in the Dublin area. The number of applications for tests was over 94,000 in 1977 and, on present trends, this will rise to 110,000 in the current year. Five additional posts of driver tester have so far been filled this year and I expect that four further appointments will be made in the next month or so.