Driving Tests.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 May 2004

Tuesday, 4 May 2004

Questions (47, 48, 49)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

55 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the driving test backlog; when he plans to introduce legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10987/04]

John Bruton

Question:

74 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the plans if any he has to address the driving test backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11006/04]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

88 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting driving tests at the latest date for which figures are available; the current waiting time in each test centre; the efforts he and his Department are making to clear the backlog of driving test applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12531/04]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55, 74 and 88 together.

The number of applicants awaiting a driving test at 26 April 2004 is 120,541. Of these, 17,446 have been given test appointments and a further 13,835 have indicated that they are currently not available to be tested. The current average waiting time and numbers awaiting a test at each driving test centre as at 26 April 2004 are set out in the following table.

The current waiting times are due to the unprecedented level of some 234,000 test applications received in 2003. This represents a 21% increase on 2002 applications. However, indications are that applications have now fallen to normally expected levels and I anticipate that the current waiting times will improve over the coming year.

Sanction for a bonus scheme for driver testers was obtained from the Department of Finance in May 2003. Under the terms of the scheme set out by the Department of Finance, the bonus scheme terminated in November 2003. The potential for initiating a further bonus scheme in order to address the backlog is being investigated. In addition to the bonus scheme, eight retired driver testers were re-employed with effect from 13 October 2003. Driver testers continue to deliver additional tests by working overtime on Saturdays and at lunchtime.

Preparation of legislation to establish the driver testing and standards authority, which will take on responsibility for conducting driving tests and will have more flexibility to respond to variations in demand, is at an advanced stage and I expect to be in a position to submit the text of the Bill to Government shortly.

Centre	Numbers Awaiting a Test	Average Weeks Waiting
North Leinster
Finglas	8,683	28
Dundalk	2,827	35
Mullingar	1,661	32
Navan	4,500	43
Raheny	7,812	39
South Leinster
Churchtown /Rathgar	11,275	41
Gorey	2.022	44
Naas	6,839	46
Tullamore	1,717	32
Wicklow	2,354	46
Tallaght	8,960	47
South East
Carlow	2,623	43
Clonmel	2,032	44
Dungarvan	1,923	46
Kilkenny	2,378	45
Nenagh	760	38
Portlaoise	1,624	49
Thurles	1,254	51
Tipperary	1,139	51
Waterford	3,601	30
Wexford	2,430	27
South West
Cork	6,613	26
Killarney	2,030	32
Kilrush	528	23
Limerick	4,019	39
Mallow	2,076	32
Newcastle West	1,678	28
Shannon	994	40
Skibbereen	1,885	34
Tralee	1,956	37
West
Athlone	1,080	14
Birr	1,126	32
Castlebar	2,143	32
Clifden	358	16
Ennis	908	11
Galway	2,781	29
Loughrea	856	12
Roscommon	1,028	24
Tuam	1,143	27
North West
Ballina	1,170	33
Buncrana	591	22
Carrick-on-Shannon	1,265	35
Cavan	1,927	43
Donegal	1,051	23
Letterkenny	1,997	36
Longford	988	35
Monaghan	1,266	40
Sligo	1,393	31

Note: the average waiting time is derived having regard to waiting times experienced by individual applicants who have undergone a driving test over the previous four week period in the test centre.