Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of backlogs for driving tests and driver theory tests. As I am sure is the case for most Members, this is an issue I am contacted about daily, particularly from people in Galway city. The Road Safety Authority has confirmed that more than 100,000 people are awaiting a driving test, which is staggering, and a further 100,000 are awaiting a theory test. Given the size of our population, with 200,000 people awaiting tests, there certainly needs to be action. In excess of 95% of those waiting are young people who have been severely impacted by the pandemic in terms of their lifestyle, freedoms and so on, as we are all aware. If they are on a provisional licence, their insurance costs will be significant, putting further pressure on their mums and dads or whatever the case may be.

The Road Safety Authority has confirmed that once testing resumes, it will have the capacity to carry out 50,000 theory tests to resolve that issue, which is welcome, but driving tests are a much more complex issue, with waiting times in Galway in excess of seven or eight months. The Minister for Transport has confirmed that an additional 40 testers have been undergoing training in recent weeks, which is welcome, but we need still more urgency. The Road Safety Authority has stated that even with these additional resources, the best case scenario is for waiting times to decrease to four months by the end of the year. In order to reduce those waiting times to eight to ten weeks, an additional 40 testers are needed, bringing the total increase to about 80. I ask that the Minister come before the House at his earliest convenience, given that this is such a critical issue for young people, who have suffered so much.