asked the Minister for the Environment the source from which he envisages additional income accruing to his Department in 1981 over 1980 by way of appropriations-in-aid under subhead W.6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Driving Test Fees.
15.
The estimate of receipts in 1981 from fees for driving tests is based on the levels of fees operating from 1 August 1980 and the anticipated numbers of applications for tests.
By how much was the driving licence application increased in August 1980?
Classes D and E are increased from £10 to £15 and all other classes from £6 to £10 from August of last year.
Is the Minister not aware that the estimated income shown in the Book of Estimates indicates the money as being expected to double for 1980? Can he explain how that will be brought about in view of the fact that fees have increased by about two-thirds?
The increase in fees is part of it and the other part is that there is now no waiting list for driving tests beyond five or six weeks. Previously we had a longer waiting list. Also, in 1980 some of the receipts went by way of refund to people who were not able to have their tests and had paid their money in 1979.
Why would the fact that there is no waiting list mean there would be additional income?
Because more people are now applying for tests and larger numbers are availing of the tests since they know they have not a waiting time.
If there is a waiting list it is because the driver testers are working to full capacity and if that is so the maximum possible income is being derived. If there is no waiting list it would seem to imply that the driver testers are not working to full capacity and that would appear to indicate a falling-off in income rather than an increase.
The Deputy must realise that part of the backlog was due to the fact that the Department was not geared to the position as they should have been. We did improve the situation considerably and because of that have a greater turnover of applicants at a faster rate.
I think the Minister is unfortunate: It is in the Department of Finance they should have put him.