Seán Sherlock
Ceist:75. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport the funding that has been allocated to the RSA to expand the driver theory test and driving testers. [35370/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 30 June 2021
Ceisteanna (75)
Freagraí scríofa
Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation and the funding of both the Theory Test and Driving Test Services. These services have for many years been funded by the Authority from its own resources, including reserves as well as ongoing revenue, and no additional Exchequer funding has been required to date to fund them. The financial position of the Authority is monitored and reviewed by my Department on an ongoing basis and the question of additional Exchequer funding will be considered, in light of their financial position and that of the Exchequer, if and when the issue arises.
The Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for driving tests. An additional 40 temporary driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. The additional testers are expected to start testing by the end of June. In addition, sanction has recently been received to add a further 40 testers to that cohort. The Department will continue to monitor and review the situation.
In 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.
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 Driver Theory Test service provider has sourced an additional 40 temporary team members to support the expected increase in capacity to 50,000 in centre appointments when permitted to do so.
The RSA has also been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already undertaken for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include car and motorbike tests. The theory test service provider has sourced 30 additional employees to manage the online testing facility. The tests are conducted under strict requirements in order to adequately verify the identity of candidates, and to ensure exams are completed in a secure manner, maintaining the integrity of the exam content and to prevent cheating or fraud. It is hoped that the service provider will be able to deliver up to 10,000 theory tests online in the coming months.