Shane McEntee (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself with the current situation whereby driver testers are failing to carry out the required number of driving tests; the measures he intends to take to ensure that existing testing requirements are reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16202/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The number of driving tests scheduled to be conducted by a driver tester each day depends upon the time of year, the category of vehicle being tested, the test location and if a tester is working overtime. A driver tester's normal working hours are from 9.15 to 5.30. In the case of driving tests in cars, eight 50 minute tests per day are normally scheduled. Driving tests in higher category vehicles normally take two car test slots and motorcycle tests are scheduled for an hour. In addition, the schedule of tests is altered during the winter months when testers are scheduled for a test during their normal lunch time to compensate for tests lost due to shorter daylight hours.

Tests actually conducted by individual testers are affected by a range of factors which include late cancellations or applicants failing to attend, time allowances for staff to travel to test centres, non compliance with conditions, and weather conditions. In addition, annual leave arrangements, sick leave and normal training absences can affect the total number of tests delivered by individual testers during the year.

There are no indications that testers are failing to deliver on driving tests as scheduled. However I do believe that a combination of improved technology and changes in work practices should enable us to increase the present level of applications taken off the waiting list, which at present is about 1300 per tester per year in normal time, and also to reduce the number of tests not conducted due to no shows or late cancellations. The procurement process for the improved systems is underway and the need for changes is being discussed with the testers.