Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004
453 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the number of vacancies within his Department for driving testers; the plans he has to fill these positions and to recruit additional testers; the number of contract testers and the plans he has to appoint them on a permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9060/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe authorised number of driver testers, including supervisory testers, a chief tester and 20 contract driver testers, is 130. Currently, there are seven driver tester vacancies and one contract driver tester vacancy. The Department keeps the level of vacancies under review having regard to current and future requirements of the driver testing service.
454 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to introduce a bonus scheme for driving testers to address the current backlog; the details of the scheme in place in 2003 and its success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9061/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe bonus scheme for driver testers introduced in June 2003 provided for bonus payments per additional test conducted. Payment was conditional on delivering a minimum number of additional tests. Three driver testers opted to participate in the scheme and 1,050 additional tests were delivered under the scheme. The possibility of introducing a further bonus scheme in 2004 is currently being considered.
