Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 91: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason driving tests in articulated lorries have ceased in Galway; and if he intends to rectify the situation by re-instating the driving test for Galway city and county as currently applicants have to travel to Dublin, Limerick or Sligo to complete their test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2611/06]

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

Driving tests category EC tests (articulated truck) in Galway City are currently suspended, as certain manoeuvres, which form part of the test, can no longer be safely conducted on test routes in the city. My Department has asked the Office of Public Works to secure a suitable off-road compound so that HGV tests can be conducted safely.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 92: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of driving tests each year since 2000; his proposals to reduce the lengthening waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2624/06]

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

The number of tests conducted for each year since 2000 is set out in the following table.

The final figure for the total number of driving tests conducted in 2005 are currently being finalised and will be forwarded to the Deputy upon completion.

My Department, in consultation with the Minister for Finance, has developed a package of measures to deal with the backlog of driving test applications. It is my intention to reduce the driving test backlog by 80,000 by June 2007. To this end a package of measures was proposed which included a bonus scheme for driver testers, recruitment of an additional ten testers and the outsourcing of a batch of 40,000 tests. The testing and recruitment process of the proposed ten contract testers is currently under way in the Public Appointments Service. Some 89 driver testers have signed up for the bonus scheme which is due to commence on 6 February 2006. This is expected to deliver over 30,000 tests based on commitments given.

The tendering process for the outsourcing of tests has been completed and a preferred tender has been selected. However no contract has yet been awarded as the matter has been the subject of conciliation at the Labour Relations Commission as unions consider the proposed outsourcing to be in breach of Sustaining Progress. Agreement was reached at the LRC under which it was agreed that my Department would seek expressions of interest from surplus staff within the Department of Agriculture and Food for temporary re-deployment as driver testers. A minimum number of 25 additional staff were required. My Department has processed the applications received and this week will interview a shortlist of ten following which the successful candidates will be trained as driver testers. The agreement also provided that in the event of the proposal proving to be undeliverable at any stage the Department would take measures to address the backlog.

As the number of additional staff from the Department of Agriculture and Food is insufficient to deliver the required tests my Department has resumed discussions with the preferred tenderer with a view to awarding a contract for the outsourcing of 40,000 tests.