Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Transport the extent to which he has outsourced driving tests as recently announced; his views on whether the outsourcing of core work for example testing is in breach of Sustaining Progress; if the driving test backlog can be reduced and eliminated without outsourcing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35590/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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To reduce the current unacceptable and exceptional backlog of persons awaiting a driving test, my Department and the Department of Finance developed a package of measure to deal with the problem. The package includes a bonus scheme for driver testers, the recruitment of additional testers as well as the outsourcing of a block of tests. The package has the potential to deliver up to 80,000 additional driving tests with 40,000 tests being delivered by outsourcing.

The driver testers have not taken up the bonus scheme and the issue of outsourcing has been referred to the Labour Relations Commission to facilitate conciliation on the issue under the terms of Sustaining Progress. The first conciliation hearing was held on 21 October 2005 and reconvened on 25 October 2005. The conciliation hearing has been adjourned until 25 November to allow a detailed examination by both parties of the feasibility of having tests carried out by staff redeployed on a short-term basis from outside the Department of Transport. In this period, the Department has also explored issues around the outsourcing proposal. A proposal, developed by my Department in consultation with the Department of Finance, has been put to the unions involved.

I hope an agreement can be reached this week that will enable the backlog to be eliminated within 18 months.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Transport when a suitable safe location for lorry reversing manoeuvres will be identified in relation to the driving test for articulated lorries (licence category EC) which has been suspended since March 2005 in Letterkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35809/05]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 417: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason behind his decision to suspend the testing of drivers of articulated vehicles in Letterkenny; and when he intends to identify a suitable alternative location in Donegal for reversing manoeuvres in order to restore articulated lorry driving testing in the area. [35123/05]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for Transport when a suitable safe location for lorry reversing manoeuvres will be identified in relation to the driving test for articulated lorries, license category EC, which has been suspended since March 2005 in Letterkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35297/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 415, 417 and 431 together.

A suitable location has been identified in Letterkenny to facilitate driving tests for articulated vehicles. Final arrangements are being made by the OPW which will allow such testing to resume shortly.