Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Munster for this question, which I must say is a fair question. It is one we have to address. The Deputy is identifying a potential problem, which we are addressing in fact, but she is right to bring it up here.

The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017, currently progressing through the Houses of the Oireachtas, will introduce amendments regarding sanctions for owners of mechanically propelled vehicles who allow learner drivers to drive the vehicle unaccompanied. There are nearly 250,000 learner permit holders in Ireland, many of whom are on their second or subsequent learner permit. The Road Safety Authority envisages that the legislation will bring about an increase of between 53,000 to 119,000 driving test applications within the first 12 to 18 months of its introduction.

Over the past four years, driver test applications have increased by almost 20%. This has meant that the waiting times for customers for driver tests have increased. The current national average waiting time for a driver test is 13 weeks. The objective of the RSA is to have a national average waiting time of no longer than ten weeks.

The RSA currently employs 103.44 full-time equivalent driver testers. My Department has sanctioned an additional 28 driver testers since October 2016, and 23 are now conducting driver tests. The remaining five testers will be in place shortly. The RSA recently ran a recruitment campaign for driver testers and will have a panel of 100 candidates in place.

The RSA has forwarded a driver test demand scenario planning submission to my Department, which seeks approval to appoint, on temporary contracts, 67 additional driver testers and 17 support staff on a phased basis for a period of 12 to 18 months to manage the possible surge in driver test applications. My officials are considering this proposal at present, and it is my intention to have any necessary supports in place to handle an increase in driver test applications.

The RSA is also undertaking initiatives to increase capacity to deliver extra driver tests. These initiatives include the delivery of 120 extra overtime tests per driver tester who participates. Other measures include initiatives to reduce the number of applicant no-shows at the driver test, and systems to reduce the number of no-shows and non-conducted driver tests. The authority plans to introduce a new test booking system that will give test applicants much more control over their booking and appointment choice.

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