Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
125. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting times for driving tests in County Donegal; the number of people on each waiting list, per centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40301/23]
View answer126. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the current waiting times for driver theory tests in County Donegal; the number of people on each waiting list, per centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40302/23]
View answer127. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to reduce waiting times and clear the backlog for driving tests and driver theory tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40303/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 126 and 127 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). The specific information relating to driver theory and driver testing waiting times in Donegal is held by the Authority and I have referred the questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
On the broader issue of driver testing delays, 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, the Authority reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service earlier this year 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 campaign is well underway and is being managed by the Authority. However, a 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 agreed service levels resume and 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 deployed across the driver testing service with a focus on the geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
As regards the driver theory test, my Department has not been advised of any significant delays to this service. The RSA has previously informed the Department that all theory test centres are open and in most months have availability for appointments.
