Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter. It is an issue I raised almost a year ago, on 22 June 2005, and, unfortunately for my constituents, it has not yet been resolved. It is unacceptable that I must raise it once more.

Since driver testing commenced more than 40 years ago in Killarney, a range of temporary testing centres have been used. In the past year, however, the situation has reached crisis proportions with the closure of the driver testing centre at Park Road, Killarney. This resulted in the cancellation of all tests for a two-week period, further compounding the waiting lists. A temporary base was established at the Quality Hotel in Killarney but it was soon closed with the cancellation of testing for a further three weeks. These setbacks have combined to create a 37-week waiting list, with approximately 2,500 provisional licence holders awaiting their test.

The Killarney driving test centre now has a temporary base at the Áras Pádraig centre, with a four-month lease period having commenced on 1 May. The testers correctly fear that when this lease expires there will be further test cancellations and a further extension of the waiting list. The centre is located on a busy main road and is unsuitable as a testing location.

The problem with the current temporary centre is that only cars and light vans are being tested because the centre does not have the capacity to cope with heavy goods vehicles, HGVs. No HGV tests have been carried out in Killarney for several weeks, thus creating a backlog of HGV tests. HGV test applicants who telephone Ballina are advised there will be no HGV testing in Killarney for the foreseeable future. Tralee has one HGV instructor but does not have a truck to facilitate tests. Killarney has two testers with trucks for test candidates and the only driving instructor able to provide an articulated truck for test purposes lives in Killarney.

Killarney racecourse has been approached with a view to providing a base for the test centre and it has sought planning permission to alter its property accordingly. Why has the Government not acquired a suitable premises for the centre? How much longer must we wait before this problem is resolved? Against a backdrop of eight tragic road deaths so far this year in Kerry, it is unacceptable for driving testers and candidates alike that there is no permanent base for driver testing in Killarney. The Minister for Transport makes much of his commitment to get provisional licence holders off the road, but he has not shown this commitment in Killarney. It is now time for the Department of Transport and the Office of Public Works to come together, identify a permanent base for driver testing in Killarney and fund the provision of that centre immediately.

Killarney covers a huge area, incorporating all of south Kerry and part of Cork. Driving testers and test applicants in the area deserve better and have been fobbed off for several years. Will the Minister give a commitment to a permanent base for the driving test centre and that HGV testing will be facilitated there?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I acknowledge her concerns about the driving test centre in Killarney. Unfortunately, the former centre proved to be unsuitable for testing and a process of securing a suitable alternative centre commenced some time ago. A replacement premises has been identified and the Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that negotiations with the landlord are at an advanced stage. It is hoped to have the test centre relocated before the end of July. In the meantime, driving tests for all categories of vehicles continue to be conducted from the temporary accommodation in the town pending the new centre becoming available. The Deputy has explained that a temporary test centre has been provided for cars and light vans. I understand her point about HGVs and will make immediate inquiries about that.

In conjunction with the Office of Public Works, the Department of Transport is undertaking an extensive programme of improving test centres in several towns, including Killarney. Arising from enhancements to the driving test, additional facilities will be required at a number of test centres.

With regard to the testing of higher category vehicles, a process of upgrading centres to provide off-road facilities for the testing of certain driving manoeuvres, in accordance with requirements of EU directives, has been ongoing for some time. The essential criteria for a test centre are adequate demand, distance from nearest centre, adequate parking and access, proximity to suitable test routes and suitable office accommodation. The location of testing facilities for higher categories of vehicles will be determined according to those criteria.

I assure the Deputy that every effort is being made by the Department and the Office of Public Works to secure the site in Killarney which has been identified. It is hoped that it will be available by the end of July. The Department is committed to reducing the waiting time for driving tests to realistic levels, not just in Killarney and Kerry but throughout the country. This is being done through the bonus scheme which has been in operation for some time and the employment of additional driving testers. Last week, the good news was announced that the proposals put to the Department of Transport and the union have been accepted by both sides and it is hoped that we will see a major reduction in the number of those on the waiting list. It is the Government's objective to reduce the waiting list, which is far too long, to realistic levels. We hope to see that achieved during the course of 2007.