Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our colleague, Deputy Pa Daly, for bringing forward this motion. While I welcome that the Minister will not oppose it and I accept that many tests have been completed, there is no denying that the waiting list is growing. Is the Minister saying he cannot step in and that this is all down to the RSA?

We all know a driving licence is not a luxury; it is essential. Not being able to drive might mean missing out on work opportunities, education, family occasions and more. This is especially true outside of large cities. Public transport in rural Ireland leaves a lot to be desired and many people simply cannot afford to rely on it for work, college, shopping, doctors' appointments or other activities. Before anyone can sit the driving test, they must have held their learner permit for a minimum of six months and must have successfully completed at least 12 essential driver training lessons. To then have to wait an average of five months is unacceptable. In some cases, tests have been deferred. This is not helping those who depend on having a licence for a new job. Someone who requires a driving licence for work cannot afford to wait 11 months to get one and businesses trying to hire drivers cannot afford it either. The possible economic knock-on effects on the economy cannot be dismissed. In addition, people who have completed their 12 lessons have just acquired a brand-new skill they will need to practise. If they are forced to wait many months, they may start to lose those skills resulting in them being more likely to fail the test. This is a waste of their time and money and the time and money of the State.

In addition to the need for extra testers, we need extra test centres with full-time staff. My town of Shannon in County Clare has a population of more than 10,000, yet we do not have a test centre. People are reliant in testers coming in from elsewhere and testers have to meet learner drivers in hotel car parks. This is a shambles. I have been told that there were no tests done in Shannon in January. This is not a new problem. The Minister must have been aware of it for years. I am glad, therefore, to see that he will take steps. I hope this will be addressed as a matter of urgency.

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