Vol. 500 No. 4
292 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the waiting list for driving competency tests at the testing centres in County Westmeath; the steps, if any, he will take to reduce the waiting period for these tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4409/99]
The information requested is set out in the following table. Of the 1965 people awaiting test, 620 have been given appointments and a further 257 are not currently available to be tested. The national average waiting period for a driving test is now some 27 weeks. However, applicants who require a test for urgent reasons, are being given earlier appointments. At present some 30 per cent of applicants are being tested within 15 weeks. As indicated in my reply to Question No. 672 of the 27 January 1999 my Department is responding to this unsatisfactory situation by increasing the numbers and productivity of its testers. Saturday testing has been in place for some time and a further package of productivity measures has also been implemented. The service is also being aug mented by the appointment of new testers on both a permanent and contract basis.
|
Test Centre |
Number of applicants |
|
Athlone |
717 |
|
Mullingar |
1,248 |
|
Total |
1,965 |
293 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be permitted to undertake a driving competency test in view of the fact that a full driving licence is essential for him to pursue his employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4410/99]
A test appointment has recently issued to this person.
