Driver Test

Wednesday, 20 September 2023

Questions (116, 117, 118)

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

116. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport for an update on driving test waiting times (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40213/23]

View answer

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

117. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a driving test application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40215/23]

View answer

118. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) regarding driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40218/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 117 and 118 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). Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.

The specific information relating to testing waiting times is held by the Authority and I have referred the question to them 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, I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department is working very closely with the Authority on addressing this issue. 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 underway and being managed by the Authority. 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. I have been advised by the Authority that the first newly recruited testers should be deployed in the week commencing 18 September. The additional driver testers will be allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on those geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 116.

Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 116.