Vol. 500 No. 2
160 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of driving testers, male and female; if he has advertised for additional testers; the length of time it takes to recruit new testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3758/99]
There are currently 80 driver testers, six of whom are undergoing their initial training; 77 of the driver testers are male.
The increased number of driving test applications is being addressed through a combination of measures, including improved productivity, overtime working and the recruitment of permanent and temporary contract testers. Seven contract testers and one permanent tester were recruited in November last and a further six permanent testers commenced in February 1999.
Arrangements for recruitment of driver testers are principally the responsibility of the Civil Service Commission which advertised a driver tester competition in June 1998. The seven new permanent testers recruited were from that competition. The Civil Service Commission is in the process of establishing a panel from which further appointments may be made.
