Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the automated telephone answering service at the Ballina office in dealing with driver testing frequently does not offer callers anything but prerecorded options; and the steps he will take to ensure that officers are available to respond to queries from the public which are not covered by the automated options. [10241/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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This automated service is available 24 hours a day. Although staff in Ballina are under considerable pressure at present dealing with the driver testing backlog, arrangements have been put in place so that, with the exception of lunchtime, there is an option provided in the automated service to allow applicants to talk directly to an officer in the driver testing section between 09:30 and 16:30 hours.

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the on-line system for arranging driver tests which issues e-mail confirmations of test appointments, has a significant shortcoming in that the e-mail confirmation is not accepted by the licensing authorities responsible for renewing provisional licences, who insist on a conventional letter of confirmation being issued; and the steps he will take to rectify this in order that the on-line service can be more streamlined and reduce delays, administration costs and public frustration. [10242/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The on-line service facilitates driving test applicants with an alternative method of applying for a test and provides general information on the driver testing service. It does not arrange driving tests nor does it issue e-mail confirmations of driving test appointments.

Once an application has been made on-line there are various checks and processes that must be completed before it can be regarded as a valid application. Formal letters acknowledging receipt of the application issue within five working days.

The future requirements of the driver testing service will be considered in the context of the overall IT requirements of the new Road Safety Authority which is currently being established.