Niamh Smyth
Question:182. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review correspondence (detail supplied); if he can provide an update on this driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43309/23]
View answerThursday, 5 October 2023
Questions (182, 183)
Niamh Smyth
Question:183. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport to review correspondence (details supplied); if he can provide an update on this driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43310/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Consequently, information on applicants is held by the RSA and neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.
On the broader issue of 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 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. I have been advised that the first tranche of new recruits was deployed in September. The additional driver testers are being allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.
It is expected that once the full complement of additional driver testers are trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will begin to decline by the end of October and agreed service levels will resume by mid 2024.
Question No. 183 answered with Question No. 182.