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Driver Test

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Questions (373)

Steven Matthews

Question:

373. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if he has met with officials from the RSA to discuss the backlog in both driver tests and driver theory tests; if consideration has been given to allowing the latter to be held outside a traditional classroom settings such as an online test to account for level 5 restrictions. [33898/20]

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Written answers

As you are aware, driver theory tests and driver tests were temporarily suspended in March due to the Covid 19 emergency and since resuming operations, there has been an increased level of demand. Unfortunately, due to social distancing requirements, normal capacity is considerably reduced for both services.

My Department is remaining in close contact with the RSA who are examining ways of increasing the number of driver tests within the current health constraints. I am pleased to say, my Department has already given approval to the RSA to retain 18 driver testers on temporary contracts due to expire in October and November, and to rehire up to 19 testers whose contracts expired in May. This will help to increase testing capacity. However, I would like to stress, that many of the issues impacting on the delivery of service are concerned with the throughput of centres themselves in light of the restrictions, rather than on the availability of staff.

The RSA are also looking at a number of other measures, including whether the number of tests a driver tester can perform each day can be increased and scheduling additional overtime tests, including testing on Saturdays to increase capacity.

The Road Safety Authority has advised my office that it is engaging with the driver theory test service provider to maximise capacity to offer tests while adhering to occupational and public health requirements. In this regard, they would, for example, be opening on additional days at some centres and extended hours also provided to allow additional capacity for appointments.

However, as you will understand, the decision to move to Level 5, which is essential for public health reasons, is likely to lead to further delays with theory tests, as the Government decision and the public health regulations require that driver theory tests are suspended.

I understand planning is underway to examine whether theory tests can be taken on line remotely. However, this planning is at a very early stage and is unlikely to come on stream in the near future.

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