Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
362. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting times for driving tests in two particular locations (details supplied) in view of the stress and hardship it is causing to applicants; the measures that have been put in place to address same; the further measures that will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38505/23]
View answer363. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport how many people are waiting for driving tests at two locations in County Mayo (details supplied) as of 25 August 2023, in tabular form. [38506/23]
View answer364. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport how many people are waiting six months or more for driving tests at two locations (details supplied) in County Mayo as of 25 August 2023, in tabular form. [38507/23]
View answer365. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Transport how many driving testers are employed at two locations (details supplied) in County Mayo as of 25 August 2023, in tabular form. [38508/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 365, inclusive, together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the operation of the National Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). As such, the information requested for Ballina and Castlebar test centres is held by that agency. I have therefore referred those questions 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.
On the issue of driver testing delays more generally, I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is working very closely with the RSA on addressing the issue of driver testing waiting times. The service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. In response to these pressures, earlier this year the RSA reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.
This recruitment is well underway and being managed by the RSA. However, a recruitment campaign of this size takes time. It is expected that once these additional driver testers are trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will be actively managed such that wait times begin to decline and agreed service levels ultimately resume. I have been advised by the RSA that the first newly recruited testers should be deployed from late September.
The additional driver testers will be deployed across the driver testing service with a focus on those geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
