Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Transport his proposals for tackling the backlog of applications for driving tests; and the timescale for each of these measures. [35891/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In order 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 measures 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.

Tenders for a contract to conduct driving tests have been received and a preferred tender has been selected. However, the matter has been referred to the Labour Relations Commission to facilitate conciliation under 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 will also explore issues around the outsourcing proposal.

The recruitment process for testers is under way and I expect additional testers to be trained and operational by May 2006. The bonus scheme is designed to deliver 40,000 additional tests in a 12 month period and I anticipate that another 40,000 tests could be delivered by July 2007 through outsourcing.