Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 3

Written Answers. - Driver Theory Test.

Noel Ahern

Question:

213 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the arrangements with the new competency test for driving licence applicants; if the test has been sub-contracted; and if so, the reason for the delays in arrangements; if the cost of the test is set or is under the control of his Department; if reductions or selective reductions can be offered to those who are unemployed or who are low waged; if a discount can be offered to repeats or repeats within a short duration; if he will bring forward an instruction manual at reduced rate; if special arrangements can be made for a 60 year old man who is dyslexic, cannot read or write properly and who has allowed his previous driving licence to lapse; and if he must do the test. [20727/01]

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

The delivery of the driver theory test has been procured on a public private partnership basis. The contract was awarded on 24 April and the service commenced operation on 11 June. Testing has taken place at each of the 41 test locations. Up to 29 June some 1,736 tests had been conducted with a pass rate of 73.4%. The level of the test fee is specified in the contract. There is no provision for reductions for particular classes of candidates. The sale price of the question bank is a matter for the contractor who has been granted an exclusive licence to publish the question bank.

The specification for the contract provides for the delivery of a user-friendly computerised theory testing system and requires that candidates with special needs be provided for. This includes the provision of reading assistance and voice-over audio with an extended time slot for the test. The test is based on a question bank which has been developed, inter alia, in consultation with the Association for Children and Adults with Learning Difficulties and the National Adult Literacy Agency. The test will also be available to candidates in a number of formats so that they can prepare in advance for it.