Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 773: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made to date in appointing private sector driving testers; when they will begin work; the number of tests per week that it is anticipated that they will carry out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24544/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In an effort to reduce the current unacceptable and exceptional backlog of persons awaiting a driving test, my Department produced a package of measure to deal with the problem. One of the measures in that package was a proposal to outsource a batch of 40,000 tests on a once-off basis.

Following a tendering process a preferred tenderer to carry out the driving tests has been selected. Before implementing the initiative, it is proposed, in accordance with the provisions of Sustaining Progress, to discuss with the various staff associations the carrying out of the driving tests by the contractor and in particular to address the nature of the changes involved, the reasons for them and any impact on staff.