Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely agree, and I welcome the Deputy’s positive and constructive contribution on this. We have to build greater capacity. The 30% increase in permanent headcount will make an impact and, as I said, they are being deployed with a focus very much on the centres that are above the national average, which should benefit Skibbereen.

More generally, the Deputy is correct that many young people are waiting excessively for a test, which is impacting their lives in many ways, whether in terms of sport, education or a whole other range of areas. We have an obligation to deliver a public service that people expect.

We also have a new vision around road safety and road deaths. We had a difficult year last year on road deaths, but if we are ambitious on broadening road safety objectives and trying to make sure people with learner permits have the opportunity to get a test, especially those with multiple learner permits, we have to ensure we have better capacity within the driver testing system. I assure the Deputy this is an absolute priority for me and there will be ongoing engagement with the Road Safety Authority on building capacity to make this much more efficient through the year. In regard to the service level agreement, which is at ten weeks, we need to ensure we are ambitious about building a better public service for all those who are waiting.

We also know from the broader point on population demographics that there will be a growing level of demand over the coming years, and that is why we have to build on the capacity that was achieved last year with a 30% increase. I am anxious to engage with the Road Safety Authority on that and, as I said, we engaged with officials on this earlier today. We appreciate the Deputy raising the issue.

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