Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Driving Tests.

Mr. O'Dowd

On 1 September 2002 there were about 54,000 on the waiting list for driving tests. The latest figures, which I have on foot of a parliamentary question, suggest that there are now over 108,000 waiting. Therefore, the number has doubled.

In Dundalk there are 2,700 waiting for a driving test, which will make it impossible for the Department to process all the applications in reasonable time. I may be anticipating what the Minister will say by saying that if one lives in Drogheda or south Louth, one can opt to do the test in Navan. However, the number of applicants has also doubled in Navan where there are in excess of 3,800 waiting. The second closest driving test centre is in Finglas where the number of applicants has increased from 5,000 to 8,000. Therefore, it is not possible, locally, regionally or nationally, to deal with the massive backlog of applicants.

The Minister must open new driving test centres. Tipperary has four test centres, in Thurles, Tipperary town, Clonmel and Nenagh, while there are three in Donegal, in Buncrana, Donegal town and Letterkenny. Counties Galway and Clare have four and three centres, respectively, in Galway city, Loughrea, Tuam, Clifden, Ennis, Kilrush and Shannon. County Waterford has two, in Waterford city and Dungarvan as does County Wexford, in Gorey and Wexford town. Establishing a second centre in County Louth would not set a precedent.

The population of Drogheda has increased by 16% since the last census, making it the largest town in Louth. It is bigger than most other Irish towns and its inhabitants demand this facility. They need it and there is an unanswerable case for providing it for them. The Government has neglected the town which does not have a swimming pool and is omitted from the national spatial strategy. It is my job to ensure that pressure is put on the Government to deliver for south Louth. The Minister must not allow this state of affairs to continue, but rather must address the matter with the Minister for Finance to procure extra funds to process applications.

Mr. B. Lenihan

I am happy to reply on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan. I thank the Deputy for providing me with the opportunity to outline to the House the position with regard to the matter.

The substantial waiting list for driving tests is a result of the decision of the Government to insist on a rigorous enforcement of road traffic legislation. I do not accept that the number of persons waiting for tests is a reliable basis for future planning in this area. The Government has embarked on a determined effort to ensure that all persons driving vehicles are licensed, which has dramatically increased the numbers seeking to take the test.

There are 51 driving test centres located in towns with, and adjacent to, large centres of population. I accept the Deputy's point that Drogheda is a substantial town, but many of the counties he mentioned, including Tipperary, Galway, Donegal and Clare, are geographically extensive in contrast to Louth. I share a great affection with the Deputy for the county , but I acknowledge that it is very small. The current network of centres is considered to provide good coverage across the country and represents a fine balance between convenience and the need for economy in delivering the driver testing service. The essential criteria for a test centre include adequate demand, distance from nearest centre, adequate parking and access, proximity to suitable test routes and suitable office accommodation.

Establishing a new test centre in a particular location requires considerable resources. It is necessary to ensure that the correct location is chosen, a suitable road network is in place and all planning requirements are met. The Department of Transport has prioritised the upgrading of test centres at some locations. In conjunction with the Office of Public Works, the Department is carrying out an extensive programme of improving test centres in a number of towns with below-standard facilities. On foot of enhancements to the driving test, additional facilities will be required at a number of test centres. The test centres in Navan and Dundalk adequately cater for the demand for driving tests in the Drogheda area. Prior to the recent unprecedented level of applications, the average waiting time had fallen to ten weeks and the test centre in Dundalk is being upgraded to provide additional capacity. In some cases test centres in north Dublin may also be convenient to candidates from the Drogheda area. The Minister for Transport has no proposals at present to establish a test centre in Drogheda.