Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 850: To ask the Minister for Transport if Drogheda will be designated as a driving test centre in view of the very significant growth in population in south Louth-east Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1018/06]

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

There are no plans to open a driving test centre in Drogheda. The existing centres in Dundalk, Navan and Finglas provide adequately for the demand in Drogheda and the general area.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 851: To ask the Minister for Transport the location of existing driving test centres here; the year each centre was opened; the facilities provided to the public at each such centre and the ownership of such centres; the cost of acquiring or renting same including the annual running cost for each such centre; if such premises are in local authority possession; the staff numbers employed at each centre whether part-time, contract or full-time and the cost of staff per annum; the throughput at each centre in 2005; the waiting list for testing at each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1019/06]

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

Table 1 sets out the location and number of testers assigned to headquarter centres at present. Driver testers are in turn assigned from headquarter centres to meet the demand in other test centres. The table does not include the chief supervisory tester or the ten supervisory testers. Table 1 also sets out details of whether a centre is owned by the OPW or leased by it on my Department's behalf. No centre is in local authority possession. The total number of staff in all driving test centres is 126 comprising one chief tester, nine supervisory testers, one temporary supervisor tester, 109 driver testers — this number includes four driver testers who work-share, and six retired driver testers. There are no records available in my Department as to when driving test centres were first opened.

Table 2 sets out the number of driving tests conducted at each test centre in 2005 and the waiting times at each centre at 23 January 2006. As the OPW is responsible for sourcing and leasing buildings on my Department's behalf, acquisition and rental costs are borne by it. The total cost of providing a national driving test service in 2005 was approximately €12 million. A figure for each individual test centre is not available. Facilities available vary from centre to centre. However, the basic facilities include an interview and waiting room in all centres. Neither Dundalk, Killarney or Kilrush have a designated waiting room. These are temporary centres operating from alternative premises, such as hotels, while the OPW sources suitable permanent sites.