Vol. 431 No. 1
21 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment if he proposes to appoint additional driving examiners to cut down the driving test waiting time; if not, if he has any other plan or programme to reduce the numbers and the waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Over the last two years or so, the number of driving test applications on hands has been reduced by some 60 per cent and waiting times have been reduced very substantially. At present, most applicants for tests are notified of an appointment within three weeks of applying and can be tested within a further five weeks. Experience has shown that these periods are about the minimum necessary for effective administration and, in particular, that shorter periods result in very high cancellation rates and difficulty in filling cancelled appointments.
The average waiting period at present (7.1 weeks) is the lowest ever achieved. In the case of the three test centres in Cork, the waiting time is now seven weeks, approximately.
Of the total of 27,500 applicants as at 23 April, 1993, some 22,000 had been given test appointments. However, 9,700 of these had either cancelled the appointment or indicated that they do not want a test as yet. The remaining 5,500 applicants, who were awaiting appointments as at 23 April represent the intake of the previous two-three weeks.
The operation of the driver testing service is monitored on a monthly basis and every effort is made to ensure that waiting times in all areas are maintained at the lower possible levels. In addition, arrangements can readily be made to provide tests urgently for applicants who require them because of employment or other considerations. In these circumstances, I have no proposals for further increases in the corps of driving testers.
