Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
184. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Transport his plans to increase the RSA driver theory test to 50,000 per month in order to clear the current Covid-19-related backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33090/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per month.
Prior to COVID-19, the RSA provided 15,000 tests per month. In light of the significant backlog of customers, capacity will gradually increase in centres to 25,000 tests monthly.
The test centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service. It is hoped that capacity will gradually increase to 50,000 tests monthly, if public health guidance permits.
The RSA, like all organisations and business, must take its direction and guidance from the Government, the HSA, and the Department of Transport in relation to capacity restrictions for in-person services and therefore must adopt and implement all recommendations relating to the services which can be provided.
The RSA has been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already underway for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include a limited number of car and motorbike tests.
The new offering will see 4,000 online theory tests available for all categories of vehicles during June. The RSA has plans to increase this by a further 6,000 during July. Tests are available on a first-come-first-served basis with the new online service becoming more widely available later in the year.
It is important to emphasise the limits of online testing. These may be convenient for test candidates, but they have to be monitored closely by a supervisor, which makes them more staff-intensive than tests in test centres. In consequence, if the RSA and Prometric, the test operator, get approval in future to extend capacity in test centres to 50,000 tests, they have indicated that they will prioritize staff for the test centres and may have to reduce the figure online from 10,000. This will in fact have a positive impact on numbers tested, as the test centres are far more efficient.
The gradual reopening of services will not immediately solve the backlogs. Every possible measure is being put in place to ensure that the maximum number of customers can be served while public health guidance is strictly adhered to.
