Driving Tests.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2005

Tuesday, 13 December 2005

Questions (268, 269)

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

303 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the details of the proposal that the Department of Agriculture and Food staff would act as driver testers; the number of staff involved; the person who will provide the training to these staff to enable them to act as driver testers; the time period envisaged for this proposal, in terms of start and completion dates; the number of learner drivers they will be requested to test during this time period; the action he intends to pursue if there is insufficient take-up by the Department of Agriculture and Food officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38699/05]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

All surplus Department of Agriculture and Food staff applying for temporary redeployment as driver testers will be subject to a competitive selection process followed by a six week training period. This training will be provided by dedicated training officers within the driver testing service. On appointment and subject to meeting the necessary standard, successful candidates will be appointed as driver testers and are expected to be operational by April 2006. Their period of redeployment will cease at the end of July 2007. The redeployed staff will operate within the normal working schedule of the driver testing service.

In order to clear the required 40,000 tests by July 2007 a minimum of 25 redeployed staff is required. In the event of insufficient numbers of staff from the Department of Agriculture and Food being available or suitable, I will take further measures to address the backlog.

Michael Lowry

Question:

304 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Transport the number of tests carried out at a test centre each month since January 2004; the reason for reduction in tests in recent months; if a tester will be deployed to the centre on a regular basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38739/05]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

I understand that the Deputy is referring to Tipperary town driving test centre. The number of tests carried out at test centres is not maintained on a month-by-month basis. The number of tests conducted in the centre concerned since January 2004 is set out in the following table.

Year	Tests conducted in Tipperary Driving Test Centre
2004	1,124
2005 (1/1/05 — 2/12/05)	733

The number of tests carried out in 2005 compared to 2004 was reduced due to training courses arranged for driver testers during the year.