Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

Recently published data reflecting a consistent increase in waiting times for driving tests is deeply concerning. I welcome the Minister of State's opening statement and thank him. This has been a focus for him since his appointment and, as Chair of the Oireachtas committee on transport, I look forward to working with him.

The RSA's target of a ten-week average waiting time is not being met. One year ago, it was 15 weeks. In January, it had risen to 21 weeks, and by last month, it was more than 24 weeks. In my home town of Clonmel, the waiting time is 28 weeks. In Tipperary town, it is also 28 weeks. I have heard colleagues in the Chamber say it is as high as 48 weeks in some test centres. It is simply not good enough.

As Chair of the Oireachtas committee on transport, I can confirm that, in consultation with my fellow members, consideration is being given to inviting the RSA as our first witness. I will be consulting all committee members on this. Our first meeting is scheduled for next week to agree a work programme.

These waiting times are bad for those frustrated by delays and detrimental to the overarching goal of this Government, this Chamber and this society to reduce road deaths and create safer roads for everybody. We have to be steadfast in our determination to build capacity in the RSA to cope with the current testing demand. I also hope in the near future we will legislate as a Chamber for the issue of learner permits. I suspect demand will subsequently grow as well.

We need to be more ambitious. Ten weeks' waiting time is too long. When an individual has completed the 12 compulsory lessons, he or she should be able to sit a test within four weeks. I call for a review of the service level agreement with the RSA.

I look forward to engaging with the Minister of State, my colleagues on the Oireachtas committee on transport and, crucially, the RSA constructively and productively in a bid to get to the bottom of why waiting times have grown so considerably in recent months and what can be done to address this as a matter of priority. We need action from the RSA so our young people can realise the ambition at 17 or 18 years of age to achieve a full driving licence.

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