Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

I want to talk about the scandalous waiting times at the driving test centre in Tallaght. The latest figures I have show that over 20,000 people in Tallaght are waiting for driving tests. This is a rise of 1,500 in the past six months. The only direction waiting lists go in this country is up. The statutory minimum time to sit the test is ten weeks. The waiting time in Tallaght is now a shocking 43 weeks. Being obliged to wait 43 weeks to do a driving test is unacceptable. When I did my driving test, there was a second test centre on Fonthill Road. For some inexcusable reason, this was closed down. That put more pressure on the Tallaght test centre. I have repeatedly campaigned for an additional driving test centre in the south Dublin area. I received a response from the RSA which stated that there are plans to open an additional centre in south Dublin and that it is currently looking for a suitable facility. I welcome this response, but there seems to be a lack of urgency in opening this second centre. Can the Minister of State find out what progress has been made in identifying a suitable location for this second test centre in South Dublin? When will it open? People in my area simply cannot be left to wait for 43 weeks. We need to see urgency from the Government, but we also need to see urgency from the RSA.

People rely on passing their test to facilitate them in their education, employment, accessing healthcare and everything in between. The delays to which I refer are pushing up the cost of driving. It is estimated that the cost of waiting to learn to drive can be up to €3,000. That is the increase for people who are on learners' permit and paying high insurance premiums for insurance. It also relates to the test. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State would look into those two matters. We need a second test centre in the south Dublin area.

See this speech in context