Neale Richmond
Ceist:310. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the steps that he is taking to reduce the waiting list for driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30434/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 June 2022
Ceisteanna (310)
Freagraí scríofa
Due to Covid 19 and resulting lockdowns, driver testing services were suspended or curtailed for periods throughout 2020 and 2021. This resulted in significant backlogs developing.
When restrictions permitted, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and their contractors worked hard to deliver these services safely, and to reduce the backlogs and restore waiting times to pre-pandemic levels.
To meet the demand for tests, approval has been given to significantly increase the capacity of the service through the recruitment and extension of a number of existing driver tester contracts. This, and the introduction of a new booking system for tests, have had a noticeable impact on reducing Covid waiting list backlogs.
Pre-pandemic the target for average wait time for a driving test was ten weeks, although on the immediate eve of the pandemic, the actual waiting time was around six and a half weeks. This increased to 25 weeks during the pandemic. With the improving public health situation, the national average waiting time is once again six weeks.
The RSA continues to focus on the small number of centres with longer than average waiting times to provide extra capacity and reduce waiting times further.