Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
48. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm what progress has been made in relation to the reduction of waiting times for those waiting to be tested, following the announcement of the addition of 75 new testers earlier in the year; when he envisages the current average wait of 21 weeks will be significantly reduced, and to what level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29768/23]
View answerThe Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
As the Deputy notes, following a review of the capacity of the driver testing service to meet demand by the Authority, and following a request for additional resources in March 2023, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 driver testers. The recruitment process is being managed by the RSA and it is well under way.
It is expected that once these additional driver testers are recruited, trained, and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will start to reduce from October 2023.
