Driving Test

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2012

Tuesday, 14 February 2012

Questions (706, 707)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

757 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a national review of driver test centres involving him, the Road Safety Authority and the Office of Public Works will be completed; the aim of the review; the criteria that will be considered in terms of assessing the feasibility of each centre; the number of centres that he envisages will close as a result of the review; if an appeals mechanism will be provided for centres that may face closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8238/12]

Michael McCarthy

Question:

758 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the value and contribution of the Skibbereen driving test centre to the community of west Cork; if he will take into consideration in the context of the ongoing national review of test centres by him, the Road Safety Authority and the Office of Public Works; the way the centre compares to its counterparts around the country in terms of waiting times and applicant numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8239/12]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 757 and 758 together.

A review of the estate requirements for the driver testing services, conducted by consultants on behalf of the Road Safety Authority, was completed in 2010. This review was commissioned to analyse the current position, and to examine the future needs of the driver testing service and make recommendations if appropriate for the rationalisation of the driver testing estate. It was agreed that any decisions on matters addressed in the review should wait on the completion of the option appraisal for the future delivery of driver testing services, which was then being planned. The option appraisal was completed last year. Following from it, I asked the RSA to expedite the implementation of efficiencies identified in the appraisal. I subsequently asked the RSA to submit specific proposals to me in relation to the driver testing estate. I expect to receive these proposals in the near future.