Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raised the issue of 34 RSA driver instructors. I did not see any reference in the Estimate here, but I was led to believe a submission was made by the Minister of State's Department, from the RSA, to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, DEPR, seeking sanction to take these people on, on a permanent basis. They would have been employed through a strenuous requirement process in 2017-18 and they are highly experienced. They are working in counties Clare, Galway, the Minister of State's constituency, and Limerick. Some of these people were due to be let go on a phased basis between now and next May.

I raised this in the Dáil last week and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, confirmed that plan was put on hold and these people would not be let go until at least next May, which is welcome. However, it is really only a sticking plaster solution, because 66,000 people are waiting on driving tests. The very idea that we, as a State, will let go 34 professional and competent people who can deal with driving down these lists is incredible. I welcome the reprieve that has been given, but there is need for more certainty than that.

We need to be looking after these people who have put in the service over the past three or four years. We need their services to address the growing lists of people looking for driving tests. It is important a concrete solution be put in place and that these people would be taken on, on a permanent basis. I want to hear the Minister of State's views on that.