Vol. 575 No. 3
268 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport the discussion he has had with the Minister for Finance in relation to improving the delays being experienced in driving test applications; the number of driver testers, excluding inspectors, employed in each of the past five years; the number of driving test applications received during the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28173/03]
To deal with the increased level of demand for driving tests, my Department, following consultation with the Department of Finance, introduced a bonus scheme in June 2003. The scheme provided for bonus payments per additional test conducted with payment conditional on delivery of a minimum number of additional tests. In addition my Department has recruited eight retired driver testers who commenced testing with effect from 13 October.
Details of the number of driver testers employed and of the number of applications received are set out in the following table.
|
YearEnded |
TestersEmployed |
ApplicationsReceived |
|
31.12.98 |
74 |
146,506 |
|
31.12.99 |
101 |
153,389 |
|
31.12.00 |
107 |
166,908 |
|
31.12.01 |
119 |
181,370 |
|
31.12.02 |
116 |
192,016 |
|
24.11.03(position at) |
119 |
221,694(to 21 November 2003) |
