Results 2,981-3,000 of 6,816 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: On that point, it does not only apply to the Minister's Department. It applies to others as well, in terms of housing and the Minister's other brief in terms of energy infrastructure. Does the Minister see the proposals that are coming in terms of planning reform being about resources for the planning system or the approach of the planning system? Obviously, there is an important balance...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 29 - Environment, Climate and Communications (Revised)
Vote 31 - Transport (Revised) (8 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank the Chair.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I welcome the response from the Minister of State, but it raises the question of why there is a delay. We would have hoped that we would have seen progress for this academic year, and more significant progress. This did not happen. There is now the question of whether this facility will be in place during this academic year or even in time for the start of the next academic year. I note...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Special Educational Needs (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Gabhaim buíochas a Leas-Cheann Comhairle and I am grateful that this Topical Issue matter has been selected which specifically looks at the project to reconfigure three mainstream classes to a two classroom special educational needs, SEN, base. The National Council for Special Education in November 2021 sanctioned a special class by letter. That process got underway. In April 2022, an...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I am going to fire a number of questions at our guests, if that is okay. Mr. Synnott said that 375,000 vehicles are overdue for their NCT. He has accounted for 246,000 of those. What is the situation in respect of the other 130,000? Of the 375,000, has Mr. Synnott a breakdown of how overdue they are? Are they three or six months overdue? Are they more than a year overdue? Does Mr....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: I thank Mr. Synnott. The information I have requested would be helpful-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: -----to give us an idea of the scale of the issue. I am trying to make sense of the figures Mr. Synnott has given the committee. I think he said that 1.53 million vehicles were due a test last year.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Some 1.4 million tests were conducted.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: That suggests a shortfall in the region of 130,000.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: That is roll-over demand. The 130,000 will roll into this year -----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: We expect they will need attention unless those vehicles are off the road permanently. What number of vehicles are due a test in 2023?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Okay. Mr. Synnott said his organisation now has the highest number of testers it has ever had, and the highest number of completed tests. Applus also has the highest demand it has ever had, however. It is all relative. That is where we need to get to. Does Mr. Synnott have the staff and tests to meet the demand? He does not at the minute. I am looking at the recruitment figures supplied...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Is that on top of 14 that Applus has?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Are they included in the 610?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Is Applus recruiting in Ireland or internationally?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Yes, Mr. Synnott has mentioned housing. I understand. If I can move on to another point, both Applus and the RSA have made the point about cancellations and no-shows. Is Applus still paid for those cancellations and no-shows? On the backup with the motor trade, of the 3,000 to 6,000 a year, how many appointments are being lost completely?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: The no-shows are essentially a moot point in terms of capacity. Applus is using it efficiently but it is clear the backlog will not be addressed by everybody showing up for their scheduled appointment. Is that right?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: On the approach of having a third of appointments in advance and the vast majority three weeks, similar to what Senator Craughwell and others will say, if I go to the Kells centre it will be August or September but in truth there are lots of appointments in Kells between now and August or September.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)

Darren O'Rourke: Yes, exactly, and what can Mr. Synnott do to improve that piece?