Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Daly agus lena chomhghleacaithe i Sinn Féin as an rún atá á phlé againn.

I welcome the opportunity to address the House and update it on the national driver testing service. I acknowledge the concerns that have been raised by Deputies. I also note the lack of some constructive points on what we would do. To leave that aside, it is an issue and unquestionably waiting times are too long. I agree it is a vital public service and the public needs an efficient and dependable driver testing service when undertaking their journey to pass their driver test and to learn how to drive. This is not at a service level I believe is acceptable. In the course of my contribution, I will tell the House what we are doing about it. For this reason, I can confirm the Government will not oppose the motion.

Every Member of the House has heard from constituents, as I have, about the issues and challenges that extended driver testing wait times have on individuals and families. There is no disagreement that the current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable. I assure Deputies across the House that measures have been taken to address the issue. I expect that we will begin to see progress in the coming months. I am prioritising this issue in my engagements with the RSA's board, its new chair, whom we appointed this morning, and its senior management team. Deputies opposite may be aware of the transformation programme on which we are engaging in the Road Safety Authority.

It is important to note that under the Road Safety Authority Act, the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the national driver testing service. The Sinn Féin motion calls on me to take immediate action to expedite the ongoing recruitment process but the legislation passed by the Oireachtas states the operation of the service is in the statutory remit of the RSA, and neither I nor my officials are directly involved in the operation of the service. Steps have, however, been taken to support the RSA so it can carry out the job it is mandated to do and which it needs to do. It is about increasing service capacity and improving service delivery.

As Deputies are aware, the driver testing service wait time is far above the service level agreement target of ten weeks. A number of Deputies alluded to this. As a point of clarity, I must point out the Opposition motion is incorrect that the target is defined in statute as it is not. Nevertheless, it is an important target and one the RSA should meet and needs to deliver. For the information of the House, the wait time at the end of January was 22 weeks and not ten weeks. In some of the busiest test centres the current wait time is more than 30 weeks. This is far too long. It is unacceptable that people must wait that amount of time for a test. It has been trending in the wrong direction. I understand the concerns of the Deputies who spoke. Most importantly, I understand the frustration of the individuals directly impacted by these delays. Fundamentally, these rising waiting times have been driven by rapidly increasing demand and population growth. This demand can be seen in the number of learner permits in circulation and in the record number of advanced driver instructors working in the sector to deliver lessons to learner drivers.

Last year was the busiest year in the history of the service. It is important we put this debate in context. The RSA received just under 275,000 new driver test applications, which was 10% above its projections for last year. The applications also added to the backlog which, as Deputies know, arose following the pandemic and has persisted as a result of incoming demand outstripping the RSA's capacity. Waiting times increased from last April onwards as the number of driver testers in employment declined due to a mix of retirement, fixed-term contracts reaching their conclusion and testers taking up alternative offers of employment. To try to meet the demand, there was extensive working of overtime by driver testers to mitigate the impact on customers, an incentive programme for testers to deliver additional tests, the introduction of the short-notice cancelled slot system and the continuation of a priority list for healthcare workers, which I believe is very important. In total more than 250,000 tests were delivered last year. None of the Deputies opposite mentioned the 250,000 tests carried out last year.

I have sought to support the RSA in meeting this demand and in addressing the issue of lengthy driver test waiting times by sanctioning additional driver tester positions to increase capacity in the system. Deputies have alluded to the fact that in March 2023 fixed-term contracts were given to 75 additional driver testers, for contracts of up to two years. The Opposition motion questions, as is its right, recruiting driver testers on a temporary basis. It was the right decision at the time, particularly after the pandemic, to see how the increased number would deal with the backlog. It is also important to highlight that average driver testing times over the period significantly improved. The average went from a peak of more than 30 weeks in August 2023 to 14.9 weeks in 2024. However, the total number of testers in employment at any point never exceeded 176. As I outlined, it declined in 2024.

Following its long-term assessment of capacity requirements, the RSA prepared a business case for the permanent sanction of additional driver testers. On receipt of the business case, the Department moved swiftly to sanction 70 additional driver testing posts on a permanent basis. This was done in September last year. The total permanent sanctioned driver test headcount today is 200, representing a doubling of the permanent headcount in just over two years. There have been 100 extra since June 2022. I understand the recruitment campaign to hire additional driver testers is at an advanced stage. Offers are being made to new recruits and are being prioritised for areas experiencing the longest waiting times. These resources will go in particular to the areas where the longest wait times are being experienced. A recruitment campaign of this size takes time. Deputies may appreciate that, or they may not, but it was sanctioned in September 2024 and the posts will be and are being filled. This will help us move progressively to work towards the ten-week service level agreement target as new testers are trained and brought on board. Furthermore, the RSA believes the permanent positions now available will attract and retain a higher number of driver testers so that progress in tackling waiting times can be better sustained.

With regard to the Deputies' concerns about the number of driver testing centres, I note the point made by the Deputy from Louth specifically on Drogheda. I also note the fact she might inform her colleague from Cavan-Monaghan that she has acknowledged the 5,000 new homes being built in Drogheda. Drogheda is, indeed, the fastest growing town in the country. The RSA will regularly collaborate with the OPW. I am interested in the points that have been raised about the reasons certain potential driver testing centres have been refused. I will look into this and I intend to engage with the RSA. It manages its capital programme and staff. I do not do so. However, I want to see this situation improve. We can do so with the additional posts in place, focusing them on the areas with the greatest of need. I have also dealt with young people and not-so-young people who are waiting for new jobs and new positions and who are dependent on their ability to get a timely driver test. I welcome that the healthcare worker prioritisation will remain in place. These are matters I will address directly with the RSA.

I am also aware that, in the case of Drogheda, lengthy engagements and extensive searches, as have been outlined, have taken place. There should be a driver testing centre in Drogheda. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, will meet the RSA shortly. I am sure the Deputies opposite are doing likewise. He will discuss the concerns. I will also continue to do so.

The motion is in line with the principles and policies of the Government in terms of defining expectations for service levels. State agencies across the board, and those in my remit, need to focus on the customer and on delivering the service. The backlog was there because of circumstances, particularly through Covid when it was difficult to carry out tests. People remember social distancing. A backlog built up. That is a fact and a reality. It had to be dealt with. Waiting times did reduce but they did not reduce far enough. The 70 additional posts focused on the right areas will help. I will also advance with the RSA additional driver testing centres. I will keep the Deputies and the Oireachtas committee informed of progress. I look forward to the contributions in the debate from Members opposite from all parties, Independents and from the Government. I will listen to the debate intently.

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