asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that many people who wish to take driving tests would be convenienced if they were held on Saturday; and if he will take steps to ensure that such tests will be conducted on Saturdays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Driving Tests.
25.
I do not propose to have tests carried out on Saturdays as a normal feature of the driving test scheme. While every effort is made by my Department to meet the preferences as to days of appointments expressed by applicants for tests, the operation of the scheme would be impossible on the basis that this was an essential factor in all cases in arranging appointments. Furthermore, in many areas, due to the operation of the five-day week, the normal traffic conditions, in which it is desirable that tests should be carried out, would not prevail on Saturdays.
Is the Minister not aware that at present, with the extension to a great number of employees of the five-day week, Saturday would be a particularly appropriate day for these driving tests? Will the Minister, in the circumstances, reconsider the decision not to have the tests carried out on Saturdays as a normal feature of the scheme?
While I promise to have a further look at the matter, I should say that in so far as preference for Saturday testing is the concern of the Deputy, it is quite true that the numbers who would come forward for that day would make it incapable of being handled. The question of segregating cases that should get preference on Saturdays as against all others would be beyond our capabilities. The total number that could be so tested, even after selection had been made, would be relatively small in relation to the total number tested in an entire week. This is one particular difficulty about Saturday testing. While I agree there would be some valid argument in relation to some persons, it would be far outweighed by the number wanting testing on Saturday.
There are 52 Saturdays in the year. Would it not be capable of being handled?
On the other hand, we have to look at the fact that there are the other five days in the week and the total amount of work spread over the week. If we selected a favoured few for Saturday testing, it would probably impose a further burden on the staff. This would probably necessitate the recruitment of further staff and we have difficulty in maintaining the personnel at the present time.
What is wrong with a waiting list?
For what?
For Saturday testing.
Yes, but the waiting list would be much longer than it is at present.
If it were a commercial firm, it would be done.
It might, but it would be passed on to the consumer.
If there were arrangements for a waiting list, it would be open to applicants if they thought the wait too long, to opt for another day on which they might be fitted in more quickly. I do not think the fact that a great number of applicants would seek to be tested on Saturday is a valid argument against having Saturday testing.
Of course this is not the only argument. The fact is that the people who are testing are no different from any other people who are supposed to be giving a service to the community. They want Saturday off because everybody else is off.