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Driver Test

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (44)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

44. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the actions he is taking to address the backlog in driver tests, theory tests and driving lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15578/21]

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Oral answers (6 contributions)

There is a massive problem in the area of driving tests, lessons and licences. I do not yet see a sense of urgency from the Government. There are 100,000 people waiting for driving tests and more than 80,000 waiting for theory tests. The demand for lessons is huge. It is having a major impact on workers and families and it needs to be a priority. How are the Minister and the Minister of State addressing these problems?

The current public health emergency has had a profoundly disruptive effect on the learning and testing system in this country. I can assure the Deputy that the Department is very aware of the challenges facing the Road Safety Authority, RSA, as it works hard to manage the backlog in the driver testing and theory testing service. The driving test service is not currently operating as normal due to the impact of Covid-19. Tests are only available, under level 5 restrictions, to essential workers. This has had a significant impact on waiting times. RSA driver testers are undertaking driving tests in extraordinarily difficult conditions. The driving test is conducted in an enclosed space for a period of over 15 minutes, where physical distancing is not possible. Given the significant risk to testers when conducting a driving test, the Government has deemed that the driver testing service should be available only for essential workers in level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.

Due to the suspension of driver testing services in the first 2020 lockdown, along with the health protocols since resumption of service and the further curtailing of services during subsequent level 5 restrictions, a significant backlog has developed. While the service is limited during level 5 restrictions, the RSA is examining ways of increasing the number of tests within health constraints with an eye to resuming wider testing after level 5. This includes increasing the number of testing staff to help reduce and, over time, eliminate the backlog. Following discussions with the RSA, my Department has approved the hiring of a further 40 temporary testers for 22 months.

The process of recruitment is now under way. However, it will take some time for people to be selected and trained. These new hires will be in addition to the 36 temporary testers which I previously gave sanction to rehire during 2020. The provision of extra testers will not on its own suffice to address the problem. One of the difficulties is with the capacity of test centres themselves, given limits on throughput due to Covid-19.

We received lots of documents at the transport committee and we have heard from the RSA. I read one document we had not previously seen in the media at the weekend, which outlined the concern in the RSA about the impact the backlog will have on road safety and insurance costs. Those are real issues that need to be addressed.

The limited capacity that is in place currently is not even being used at 100%. It is being used at 75% because essential workers cannot get lessons in order to sit their test. In effect, they are being held up earlier in the queue. If they had their lessons completed, they could get a test. That is an anomaly raised with the RSA. Is that something on which the Minister of State has sought advice from NPHET and will driving lessons be allowed to resume on 5 April?

My understanding is that testing capacity is at the maximum allowed under public health advice. There is a limit to the number of tests that can be physically carried out each day due to the level 5 restrictions. Even with the hire of extra driver testers, that in itself will not help the current backlog due to the time involved and the limitations on the throughput in the centres. I assure Deputy O'Rourke that we are in constant contact with the RSA, which is working very hard to come up with ways to reduce the backlog when the level 5 restrictions are lifted in order to carry out more tests per day. Overtime is being considered to allow tests to be carried out later in the evening and at weekends. A number of measures are under consideration, but while level 5 restrictions are in place we are curtailed for public health reasons. We are trying to keep everybody safe - the instructor and the learner as well.

I ask the Minister of State to go back and speak to the RSA because what she said is not actually the case. The RSA has clearly said there is spare capacity currently as essential workers cannot sit the test because they have not completed their lessons. I am not trying to make a meal out of it, but I ask the Minister of State to go back to the RSA and confirm whether what I have outlined is the case. The issue of concern is NPHET's advice on essential workers being able to get their essential driver training, EDT, lessons. I seek clarity on that because if lessons could go ahead then the full testing capacity that is available could be used. I urge the Minister of State to follow up on the matter.

The RSA sought 80 additional testers to address the backlog. It outlined the difference 80 testers would make versus 40. Will the Minister of State provide the extra 40 testers?

Deputy O'Rourke can be assured that whatever resources are needed in order to alleviate this backlog will be provided. I have sanctioned 40 extra testers and they should be in place by the end of June. Given the public health restrictions under level 5, there is a physical limit to the number of tests that can be undertaken. I assure the Deputy that if more testers are required then more will be sanctioned. We are in constant communication with the RSA on the matter. Public health is our primary concern. Every question the Deputy has raised relates to public health. I accept that it is very frustrating for people who are trying to progress with their driving lessons and to get their test but the reason for the backlog is due to Covid-19 and trying to protect people. The RSA and the testers have done a very good job on minimising the spread of the virus because of the protocols they have in place.

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