Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Transport the amount of driver testers he expects to recruit from the Department of Agriculture and Food staff; the level of interest and applications received from the latter staff for such positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4160/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department sought expressions of interest from staff in the Department of Agriculture and Food, identified by the Department of Finance as surplus to that Department's organisational needs. Expressions of interest were received from 25 eligible staff.

Following a competitive process, my Department proposes to temporarily redeploy eight staff. The eight will commence a six-week training course in late February and subject to passing this course, are expected to commence testing in April 2006.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Transport the full cost of the bonus package on offer to driver testers; if same will be made available to all testing staff, including new recruits; the additional duties which will be carried out as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4161/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The direct cost of the bonus scheme will be in the region of €1.5 million to €2 million. The scheme is available to all driving testers and 90 testers have signed up to participate. New recruits will also be eligible to participate. It is not possible to indicate the total number of tests to be carried out under the bonus scheme but, based on the commitment given by the 90 testers, it is expected to deliver a minimum of 30,750 extra tests.