Vol. 495 No. 7
505 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the arrangements which his Department has in place to cover for driving testers who are absent due to illness or other causes in order not to inconvenience members of the public; if his Department monitors the extent to which appointments are met as part of a customer charter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21585/98]
Where a driver tester is unable to fulfil test appointments, the tests would normally be carried out by a tester assigned to provide emergency cover for such eventualities or by the supervisory tester. Where these, or other alternative arrangements, are not possible, the tests are rearranged for an early date. Up to 10 October 1998 more than 97 per cent of appointments were met in the present year. Every effort is made to manage the operation of the testing service to ensure the convenience of persons who have been given test appointments.
