Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 3

Written Answers. - Driving Tests.

Ulick Burke

Question:

198 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of persons in County Galway waiting for a driving test; the number of tests taken in each of the past five years; the average waiting period in each year; if he intends to increase the number of examiners-testers to reduce the waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18717/00]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

The number of persons at present awaiting driving tests at centres in County Galway is 4,738. Of these, 1,329 have been given test appointments and a further 955 have indicated that they are not currently available to be tested.

The number of tests conducted in each of the past five years at centres in County Galway is set out in the following table.

Tests conducted in County Galway 1995-99

	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Clifden	300	359	326	294	419
Galway	2,788	2,920	3,159	3,052	3,381
Loughrea	929	1,036	1,144	1,141	1,404
Tuam	814	944	1,024	912	1,277
Total	4,831	5,259	5,653	5,399	6,481

Figures for waiting periods are not compiled on the basis of annual averages. The longest waiting period at December in each of the years 1995 to 1999 is given in the following table.

Longest waiting period at December in County Galway centres

	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Clifden	15	20	18	31	18
Galway	13	23	26	38	34
Loughrea	14	24	25	36	23
Tuam	15	24	25	38	27

Retired testers are now being taken on and additional testers are being recruited to cope with the increased demand for driving tests and to reduce waiting periods.