John Bruton
Question:28 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to address the driving test backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27657/03]
Vol. 575 No. 1
28 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to address the driving test backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27657/03]
46 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Transport the number of applicants awaiting driving tests at the latest date for which figures are available; the current waiting time in each test centre; the progress made to date in discussions with the Department of Finance on a package of measures to address the backlog of driving test applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27833/03]
86 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport the reason there are such long delays confronting applicants for driving tests; and his views on whether this situation contributes to road safety. [27652/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 46 and 86 together.
The total number of applicants awaiting a driving test and the waiting times at each test centre are set out in the following table.
Numbers waiting and average weeks waiting for a driving test at 28 October 2003
Region/Centre |
WeeksWaiting |
Applicationson Hand |
North Leinster |
||
Finglas |
21 |
8,932 |
Dundalk |
22 |
3,304 |
Mullingar |
20 |
1,873 |
Navan |
27 |
4,826 |
Raheny |
23 |
7,490 |
South Leinster |
||
Churchtown/Rathgar |
23 |
11,650 |
Gorey |
22 |
2,091 |
Naas |
24 |
6,667 |
Tullamore |
21 |
1,716 |
Wicklow |
22 |
2,561 |
Tallaght |
25 |
9,213 |
West |
||
Athlone |
21 |
1,005 |
Birr |
22 |
1,128 |
Castlebar |
26 |
2,402 |
Clifden |
24 |
404 |
Ennis |
19 |
990 |
Galway |
18 |
2,841 |
Loughrea |
20 |
976 |
Roscommon |
18 |
1,024 |
Tuam |
22 |
1,212 |
North West |
||
Ballina |
24 |
1,126 |
Buncrana |
21 |
472 |
Carrick-on-Shannon |
23 |
1,282 |
Cavan |
24 |
1,986 |
Donegal |
22 |
1,038 |
Letterkenny |
18 |
1,770 |
Region/Centre |
WeeksWaiting |
Applicationson Hand |
Longford |
25 |
1,137 |
Monaghan |
20 |
1,421 |
Sligo |
20 |
1,483 |
South East |
||
Carlow |
25 |
2,500 |
Clonmel |
24 |
2,209 |
Dungarvan |
21 |
1,711 |
Kilkenny |
25 |
2,569 |
Nenagh |
33 |
814 |
Portlaoise |
27 |
1,674 |
Thurles |
31 |
1,329 |
Tipperary |
23 |
1,080 |
Waterford |
26 |
3,758 |
Wexford |
24 |
2,528 |
South West |
||
Cork |
21 |
7,171 |
Killarney |
25 |
1,994 |
Kilrush |
23 |
477 |
Limerick |
25 |
3,746 |
Mallow |
21 |
2,134 |
Newcastle West |
24 |
1,768 |
Shannon |
20 |
935 |
Skibbereen |
25 |
1,982 |
Tralee |
24 |
2,256 |
Region Totals |
||
North Leinster |
23 |
26,425 |
South Leinster |
23 |
33,898 |
West |
21 |
11,982 |
North West |
22 |
11,715 |
South East |
26 |
20,172 |
South West |
23 |
22,463 |
Overall Total |
23 |
126,655 |