Driving Tests.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 April 2006

Tuesday, 4 April 2006

Ceisteanna (329)

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

357 Mr. N. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mallow test centre has again been without a driver tester for a further period of two weeks bringing the total number of weeks without testing in this centre to four weeks since 1 January 2006; his proposals to address this serious issue in view of the large number of applicants awaiting test appointments; and the reason such a large test centre can be left without a tester for four weeks out of eleven. [13248/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen)

A total of 12 driver testers are assigned to the Cork region, covering nine driving test centres, including Mallow. The level of service at this test centre is generally consistent with service levels in other centres. The allocation of driver testers to test centres is kept under review having regard to the demand for tests. Occasionally, for operational reasons, some test centres may not have a driver tester assigned during a particular period. However, three testers are assigned on a regular basis to Mallow.