Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 July 2004
49 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the average pass rate at each driving test centre; the action he is taking to address this variation; the action he has taken to date to implement the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendations following a review of the driving test system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20313/04]
View answer138 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the average pass rate at each driving test centre; the action he is taking to address this variation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20312/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 138 together.
The content of the driving test is set out in accordance with the provisions of the relevant EU directives. As in other EU countries, there are variations in the pass rate among test centres. The pass rate may be influenced by a number of factors, including the number of lessons taken by the candidate, the standard of instruction available and demographic factors.
In relation to consistency in the standard of the driving test, my Department undertook a comprehensive training programme for all driver testers in 2002 covering procedures for carrying out the test, guidelines to assess faults and training to enhance customer service in the delivery of the driving test. The work of each individual tester is monitored on an ongoing basis by his or her supervisor and remedial action is taken where this is required.
Following the Comptroller and Auditor General's report a review of the driver testing service was carried out by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers whose recommendation was that a separate public sector agency be established to deliver the driver testing service. Such an agency would have more flexibility to respond to variations in demand. The Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill which will establish such an agency was published on 6 July 2004.
The pass rate for 2003 for each driving test centre is set out in the following table.
|
Test Centre |
Pass rate 2003 % |
Test Centre |
Pass rate 2003 % |
|
North Leinster |
South East |
||
|
Finglas |
48.8 |
Carlow |
49.2 |
|
Dundalk |
51.6 |
Clonmel |
51.3 |
|
Mullingar |
57.0 |
Dungarvan |
57.3 |
|
Navan |
54.4 |
Kilkenny |
55.4 |
|
Raheny |
49.7 |
Nenagh |
49.8 |
|
South Leinster |
Port Laoise |
50.0 |
|
|
Churchtown-Rathgar |
48.3 |
Thurles |
56.3 |
|
Gorey |
52.6 |
Tipperary |
47.9 |
|
Naas |
53.6 |
Waterford |
54.8 |
|
Tullamore |
54.2 |
Wexford |
51.5 |
|
Wicklow |
47.3 |
South West |
|
|
Tallaght |
50.9 |
Cork |
55.5 |
|
West |
Killarney |
60.0 |
|
|
Athlone |
57.0 |
Kilrush |
62.3 |
|
Birr |
65.1 |
Limerick |
62.3 |
|
Castlebar |
62.1 |
Mallow |
57.8 |
|
Clifden |
56.0 |
Newcastle West |
60.5 |
|
Ennis |
65.5 |
Shannon |
66.4 |
|
Galway |
61.2 |
Skibbereen |
59.5 |
|
Loughrea |
58.5 |
Tralee |
59.7 |
|
Roscommon |
60.0 |
||
|
Tuam |
64.2 |
||
|
North West |
|||
|
Ballina |
61.2 |
||
|
Buncrana |
65.6 |
||
|
Carrick-on-Shannon |
54.4 |
||
|
Cavan |
50.2 |
||
|
Donegal |
57.1 |
||
|
Letterkenny |
60.4 |
||
|
Longford |
55.9 |
||
|
Monaghan |
50.8 |
||
|
Sligo |
63.5 |
Note: The pass rate is derived having regard to the outcome of all tests conducted at each driving test centre in 2003.
