Brendan Kenneally
Question:77 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Environment the current waiting period for driving tests at each driving centre throughout the country. [2178/96]
Written Answers - Driving Tests.
The information requested is set out in the following table. The waiting periods stated are the longest which apply at the individual centres. Many applicants, however, in particular those who indicate a need for an early test for reasons such as employment or travel abroad, are tested more quickly. Last month, for example, 52 per cent of those who applied for an early test were tested within five weeks and all such applicants were tested within eight weeks of applying.
Waiting periods are longer in winter because the hours available for testing reduce due to early darkness. Testing output will increase significantly, and waiting times should be reduced from end February onwards, with the onset of brighter evenings. In order to accelerate and consolidate the reduction in waiting times, I arranged for the recruitment and training of seven additional testers late last year. These additional testers are now operational and should make a significant contribution to reducing the arrears over the coming months.
|
Centre |
Weeks Waiting |
|
Athlone |
13 |
|
Ballina |
18 |
|
Birr |
15 |
|
Buncrana |
20 |
|
Carlow |
8 |
|
Castlebar |
11 |
|
Cavan |
21 |
|
Churchtown/Rathgar |
8 |
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
19 |
|
Clifden |
15 |
|
Clonmel |
10 |
|
Cork |
15 |
|
Donegal |
21 |
|
Dundalk |
12 |
|
Dungarvan |
8 |
|
Ennis |
18 |
|
Finglas |
8 |
|
Galway |
13 |
|
Gorey |
12 |
|
Kilkenny |
13 |
|
Killarney |
18 |
|
Kilrush |
19 |
|
Letterkenny |
15 |
|
Limerick |
21 |
|
Longford |
20 |
|
Loughrea |
15 |
|
Mallow |
17 |
|
Monaghan |
17 |
|
Mullingar |
7 |
|
Newcastle West |
21 |
|
Naas |
15 |
|
Navan |
12 |
|
Nenagh |
7 |
|
Portlaoise |
14 |
|
Roscommon |
15 |
|
Shannon |
20 |
|
Skibbereen |
17 |
|
Sligo |
15 |
|
Thurles |
13 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
|
Tralee |
22 |
|
Tuam |
11 |
|
Tullamore |
8 |
|
Waterford |
13 |
|
Wexford |
13 |
|
Wicklow |
12 |
|
National Average |
14.4 |