Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Transport the funding available in 2006 for the upgrade of the driving test application software in Ballina; and the way in which this compares with the expected cost of the full upgrade. [20265/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The intention is to fully upgrade the IT delivery of the driver testing service over the coming 18 to 24 months. The first step is the improvement of the IT infrastructure to underpin the business needs of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The RSA will have responsibility for the driver testing service, for which a sum of €380,000 has been provided for the 2006 costs associated with this upgrade.

In the context of the establishment of the RSA, detailed needs assessments will be carried out and an overall project cost will be established on this basis.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of staff currently employed in processing driving test applications; the typical throughput per week; and the operational capacity for processing driving test applications. [20266/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 51 staff working in the administration of driving tests.

The current average number of applications received is over 4,000 per week; approximately 4,500 tests are currently scheduled each week; and up to 1,500 tests are cancelled and re-arranged each week. In addition the staff are currently handling up to 3,000 telephone calls per week.