Vol. 501 No. 4
56 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the total number awaiting driving tests at the latest date for which figures are available; the longest period that any individual, currently on the list, has been waiting for a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6173/99]
106 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of people waiting for a driving test; the period of time waiting for the test; the proposals, if any, he has to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6298/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 106 together.
Some 89,600 applicants are at present awaiting driving tests. Of these, approximately 22,000 have been given test appointments and a further 9,700 have indicated that they are not currently available to be tested. The national average waiting period for a driving test is now 31 weeks and the longest waiting period for any individual applicant is 54 weeks. Where applicants require a test for urgent reasons they are facilitated as far as possible. At present 31 per cent of applicants are tested within 15 weeks.
