Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important matter given that many people nowadays depend on being able to drive for work. While the Minister mentioned progress being made, progress has been slow. I, like probably every other TD here, can cite cases where people have not had access to a test and seem to have ended up in whatever hole the RSA has created to swallow up applications. We end up with people paying extra money for lessons to keep their hand in. They must also make sure they have the money for the test and ensure their car is not just sitting there. However, they cannot drive the car or go to the test centre because they do not have a licence. The car is often left sitting with insurance and tax paid on it and they wait and wait. I have had a number of cases in recent months - it seems to be getting worse - of people who have jobs and are awaiting clearance but cannot get the test. They have spent a substantial amount of money on insurance and they cannot avail of it or work.

There is also the issue of those who have licences from abroad, such as truck drivers, who come back to Ireland and whose licences are not recognised. They end up losing the work they have come home to do because they their licence is not recognised. In one case, a man came back from Australia and lost out because his licence was not recognised even though he had gone to Australia with an Irish licence and changed it over there. If he went to the North, his licence would be recognised straight away.

Then there is the issue of the theory tests. The fact is this is a money-making scam. The Government is robbing people, especially young people who are trying to jump the first hurdle, by asking them for a lot of money and then changing the rules time and again. There are not many theory tests centres. There are only four in Dublin. We should use the library service. It would be a lot easier, it is digital and we would put money back into the local authorities if we used the library service. The amount young people are being charged should be reduced. Every year since I have been in the Dáil, Ministers have spoken about how great they are doing and how the waiting lists for driver tests would be reduced. It has not happened and the Government must make sure it happens.

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