Vol. 519 No. 7
8 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views of the proposals from the EU Commission for common standards for driving tests within the EU, particularly the suggestion of on-going assessment of drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14695/00]
Common standards for driving tests are already laid down by the provisions of Directive 91/439/EEC which have been transposed into Irish legislation and practice. No significant proposals exist at present to add to or amend these standards in relation to on-going assessment of drivers or otherwise.
However, action is being taken nationally to improve the training and/or testing of new drivers through the following measures: registration and/or testing of driver instructors, development of a theory test to complement the practical driving test, tenders for the provision of this service have been invited, sponsorship by my Department of a programme by the Irish Motorcycle Action Group to provide initial practical training for motor cyclists and a review by consultants of the organisation and delivery of driving test services.
Will the Minister of State confirm that the EU Commission has brought forward a proposal which would require all drivers to resit the driving test at regular intervals? Has he responded to that proposal and, if so, what was his response?
Part of the Minister of State's reply referred to driving test arrangements. Can he explain the wide difference in the levels of people who pass the test at different driving test centres? Completely different standards appear to apply in different centres. What is the Minister of State doing to ensure consistency in the proportion of people who pass the driving test so that passing will not depend on the centre at which one takes the test?
No proposals have been received from the EU requiring the on-going assessment of drivers. As regards differences highlighted in the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, the driving test service has been in crisis for the past year or two. This initially arose from the large increase in the number of applications but was mainly due to the inability to respond to the increase by way of appointing additional testers. I have explained to the House that industrial relations difficulties have contributed to this inability.
Because of the pressure on existing staff to deal with the large number of applications, the refresher courses which should have been held were not held because that would exacerbate the waiting list problem. Departmental officials estimate the number of new test applications this year could reach 170,000.
The Minister of State's minute has concluded.
The capacity of the testing system has been increased to 200,000 tests per year and the number of testers has increased from 66 to 100.
Would the Minister of State agree that it would be a scandal if common standards applied in the EU are not applied in test centres in this country? Would he also agree that it is long past time he agreed with motor industry proposals for common standards of training for driving testers and for common standards of registration for driving schools? Will he undertake to take action in this regard in the near future?
Driving testers receive common training standards. What has been highlighted is some difference in the application of the standards between different test centres and within test centres. This is all contained in the comptroller's report. The Government has given approval for the appointment of consultants to carry out a root and branch examination of the driver testing service in full consultation with those who work for the service. This examination will produce recommendations on how we can ensure an efficient service which operates equal standards and deals with applications within a period of at least ten weeks. I would like the period to be shorter than ten weeks but we have to reach the ten week target first. It is outrageous that some people have been waiting for 40 or 50 weeks. The average is down to about 29 weeks but that is not acceptable. We are about to appoint the consult ants and it will be interesting to see their recommendations.
The Minister of State's time has concluded.
I am anxious to ensure that those who work in the service have good working conditions and are properly remunerated. We cannot expect them to take on more and more work. I would like to appoint more testers but there is some difficulty in achieving that. If we cannot find a solution we will have to look for others.
When will any of this happen?
We will have to get the report first.
