Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Transport the timeframe for the introduction of his driving test reforms; when the current backlog of driving test applicants will be clear; his plans to increase the number of driving testers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21248/05]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will expand on his recent comments that younger drivers can look forward to lower insurance premiums under the Government's reform of the driver testing system; the precise steps he will take to reform the testing system; the way in which this will lower insurance costs for younger drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21191/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he can expect an increase throughput in respect of driving tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21543/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 54 and 223 together.

My Department and the Department of Finance have reached agreement on a package of measures which will make substantial inroads into the backlog of applicants awaiting a driving test. The package of measures involves increased productivity by way of a bonus scheme for driver testers, the outsourcing of a block of tests to an external body and the recruitment of additional driver testers. The package if fully implemented has the potential to deliver an additional 80,000 driving tests by the end of 2006, which should effectively eliminate the backlog.

My officials have commenced work on implementing each of these measures. Following discussions with the driver testers union, IMPACT, the terms of a bonus scheme are being circulated to driver testers. I look forward to a substantial take up of the scheme by the driver testers. Arrangements are being made to recruit additional testers and I expect invitations to tender for the delivery of the outsourced tests to issue shortly.

According to the motor insurance industry the cost of insuring a driver who has yet to pass the driving test is substantially higher than for a driver with a full licence. Consequently, I expect that the implementation of the package of measures aimed at a substantial increase in test throughput will enable the insurance industry to reduce premium costs proportionately.