Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 426: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of people who are on waiting lists for driving tests in Dublin. [20511/06]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Transport the average time on a waiting list for a driving test in Dublin. [20512/06]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to hire additional driver testers to deal with the significant waiting list for driving tests. [20513/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 426 to 428, inclusive, together.

Details on the numbers waiting and average waiting times are set out in the table.

In relation to the recruitment of additional testing staff, 7 new driver testers commenced testing last April. An additional 6 testers are due to commence training in June, to be followed by 5 more later in the summer.

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress which has been made on outsourcing driving tests. [20514/06]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Transport the contingency plans which are in place to deal with the significant waiting list for driving tests should the driver tester's union fail to agree to outsourcing. [20515/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 429 and 430 together.

The question of outsourcing was referred to arbitration, which ultimately upheld the unions' view of the clauses of Sustaining Progress that outsourcing was not permitted under Sustaining Progress. Nevertheless, as the Arbitration Board urged all parties to examine all options to deal with the backlog in the interests of road safety, discussions have continued to take place since the arbitration hearing with a view to reaching agreement on measures to reduce the backlog by mid 2007. Negotiations are ongoing under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission in this context.

Additional options include the use of additional civil service staff, the use of contractors, the use of a bonus scheme and increased productivity.