Vol. 505 No. 2
138 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when extra driving testers will be recruited; and if this recruitment will take place from the panel of applicants who applied for the posts and did the aptitude test in 1998. [13440/99]
Arising from the driver tester recruitment competition organised by the Civil Service Commission in 1998 a number of candidates have been placed on a panel. To date nine candidates from the panel have been appointed to permanent positions and a further three will be appointed to permanent posts shortly.
All other candidates on the panel have been offered temporary contract positions of driver tester and of those 12 have accepted and taken up duty. Arrangements are also being made to appoint a further six contract driver testers.
139 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to introduce a register of driving instructors and an approved system of certification of their qualifications; if Ireland is the only EU country without a certification system; the plans, if any, he has to introduce mandatory regulations in this area; if he will give details of the pilot scheme partly funded by his Department; when this scheme will be made a permanent fixture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13443/99]
Many driving instructors are currently enrolled under the voluntary driving instructor register which was established in 1996 by two national associations representing driving schools and driving instructors and has received financial and-or commercial support from my Department and the Irish insurance federation. The scheme requires registered driving instructors to pass a three part examination.
The Government strategy for road safety 1998-2002 addressed the question of regulating private driving schools. It concluded that the DIR scheme should for the moment remain a voluntary one, but that it should be encouraged to attain an appropriate quality certification so as to further enhance confidence in, and use of it. My Department is offering financial assistance for this purpose and is liaising with DIR to advance the process.
Ireland is among a number of EU countries which do not operate a detailed supervision of driving schools or instructors.
