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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 3

Other Questions. - Driving Tests.

Question:

5 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the delays being experienced by persons who have applied to sit a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6056/98]

The average waiting time for a driving test is 25 weeks. However, applicants needing an early test for urgent reasons such as employment are generally tested within ten weeks or less. My Department's customer service action plan has set service delivery targets which aim to ensure, by end l998, an offer of a test in virtually all cases within 15 weeks of application and, by end l999, an offer of a test within ten weeks of application.

The delays have arisen from a substantial increase in the overall intake of driving test applications which in the past two years has increased by 20 per cent over previous levels. My Department addressed the problem by introducing Saturday testing. We are also taking steps to strengthen the permanent driver testing corps and conclude the negotiation of productivity measures which will permit the engagement of further testers on a contract basis.

Mr. Hayes

This is a sorry state of affairs. The Minister of State has informed us that the average waiting time is six months. I understand in Dublin it is eight months. What will the Minister of State do about this? Is it the case that there are only 24 driver testers throughout the country? When will the Minister of State ensure more testers are appointed?

The position is most unsatisfactory. I remind the Deputy that I inherited this problem last July——

Mr. Hayes

The Minister of State has been in the job nine months.

I have been trying to resolve the problem. I discovered how bad the problem was when I took office. I have discussed the matter with the staff of the Ballina office. The average waiting time is 25 weeks.

Mr. Hayes

Six months sounds better.

The figure varies among the 48 test centres between 19 and 31 weeks. Generally, the waiting time is between 24 and 26 weeks but in some areas it can be as high as eight months.

The backlog is attributable to a considerable increase in the past two years in the overall number of test applications which has increased from 94,385 in l993 to 118,144 in l997. Applications are currently running at an all time high of 3,200 per week, on average. It will be necessary to engage testers on 12 month contracts to eliminate the backlog. The necessary arrangements are in train. Productivity measures to produce an additional 9,000 tests per annum are being negotiated with the driver testers' union. I hope the negotiations which have been prolonged will be brought to a satisfactory conclusion in the near future.

In tandem with the arrangements for the engagement of contract testers, a competition to recruit additional permanent testers to strengthen the permanent driver testing corps will be held. The established driver testing corps is 70 testers, six supervisors and a chief tester. There are currently 67 testers but because of extended sick leave the effective strength is 65.

Every effort is made to facilitate applicants requiring an early test for urgent reasons such as employment and they are generally tested within ten weeks or less. My Department's customer service action plan under the strategic management initiative has set service delivery targets for driver testing. The aim is to ensure, by end 1998, an offer of a test in 95 per cent of cases within 15 weeks of application and, by end 1999, in all cases within ten weeks of application. If the negotiations between the driver testers' union and officials of the Department are brought to a successful conclusion soon, I expect we will be able to achieve these targets.

The Minister of State appears to be yellow packing the system of driver testing by recruiting contract testers.

One cannot win.

Another sound bite.

Is there a good reason he will not employ the required number of full-time testers? I presume there is no shortage of money, the operation should be self-financing. What is the current failure rate? As has been rumoured in some newspaper reports, is the Minister of State considering the introduction of an amnesty to clear the backlog?

If the Deputy is suggesting——

I am not suggesting anything, I am only asking questions.

There will be no amnesty. That would not be a satisfactory way to deal with the problem.

I am glad the Minister of State has scotched that one.

We have to clear the backlog. A competition will be held to recruit additional permanent testers. On behalf of the Department, I apologise to those who are waiting for a driving test. The position is not satisfactory. Every effort is being made to resolve the difficulty.

What is the current failure rate?

From memory, I think 50 per cent pass the test first time.

Mr. Hayes

Is it the Minister of State's view that the reason the failure rate is so high is that there is no system in place for approving driving instructors? It appears anyone can display an "L" plate and operate as a driving instructor without having to meet approved standards.

That might be the subject of a separate question.

That is a dodge. We will have to wait another six months to get an answer to that question.

Will the Minister tell us how many driving test applicants are awaiting tests? Does he have a figure for the average number of tests conducted per tester per week? How many driving test applicants previously failed the test and are driving on our roads with provisional licences in circumstances where their driving competence and knowledge of rules of the road is, at the very least, in doubt?

I do not have that detailed information.

Even the number of applicants awaiting their driving tests?

The Deputy is seeking statistical information. There is no problem. I can supply it to him if it is available and I expect it is available in the Department.

I am concerned about a longstanding difficulty dating back a number of years. It concerns people whose third provisional licence has expired but who require a current licence to do their driving test. Will the Minister comment on the fact that there is only one female driving tester in the country?

That explains matters.

Deputy Keaveney might apply for the job.

We are an equal opportunities Department. I am sure the competition will be held in an open and fair manner and that there will be no discrimination on gender grounds.

When is it proposed to introduce the Council directive to change the driving test? There seems to be a serious flaw if 47 per cent of first time applicants fail their test. That comes down to people who sit the driving test not being adequately trained and the need for a driving instructors register on a statutory basis.

That is the subject of a separate question. The European Union requires us to introduce an addition to the test which will involve a theoretical test. Plans have been made for its implementation and it should be introduced before the end of this year.

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