Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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241. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the RSA submitted a request for 80 additional driver testers in October 2020; the reason the request has not yet been met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12904/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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In late 2020, the RSA presented an initial plan to the Department outlining its proposals for carrying out its functions under the COVID Framework. This plan included proposed measures needed to reduce current waiting times. Amongst the range of options outlined, the RSA sought sanction to recruit 80 additional testers.

My Department examined this request in detail in relation to its robustness and deliverability, while also taking into account financial and other implications. Following this review, my Department approved the hiring of 40 temporary driver testers. This was subsequently also approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. These new hires will be in addition to the 36 temporary testers that I previously gave sanction to rehire during the latter part of 2020.

I would like to point out that the provision of extra testers will not on its own suffice to address the problem. One of the difficulties is with the reduced capacity of driving test centres, given limits on throughput due to Covid restrictions. Even with the additional 40 recruits, the RSA will need to look at possible additional temporary test centres.

The Department and the RSA will monitor how the new testers are impacting the system as they come on stream from June 2021 and as the Covid restriction level reduces. I will keep the situation under review as to whether further recruitment of additional testers will be necessary in the latter half of 2021.