Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The current public health emergency has had a profoundly disruptive effect on the learning and testing system in this country. I can assure the Deputy that the Department is very aware of the challenges facing the RSA as they work hard to further manage the backlog in the Driver Theory Testing Service.

The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under Level 5.  Therefore, the service is closed while Level 5 restrictions remain in place.

My Department had previously requested that the RSA, as the body legally responsible for the driver theory test, examine whether theory tests can be taken on-line remotely and what is required to do so.  

Acting on this request, the Driver Theory Test service launched a pilot phase of a new initiative, offering a Remote Testing service for specific categories of Theory Test (C, D, CD, BMT, TMT, ADI, CPCB, CPCT). This was trialled during December and January.

The pilot phase is now being evaluated with a view to extending the online service to all test types during 2021. However, this expansion of services will take some time. Operational, technical, logistical and contractual issues will have to be addressed prior to roll out of the service and it is expected to be at least the end of Quarter Two before the RSA are in a position to offer the service for all test categories.

As remote testing facilitates additional capacity whilst also enabling the service to continue in the event of further lockdowns, it would be expected this would greatly help in returning the service to normal waiting times over the second half of this year.

In addition to the remote testing initiative, the RSA is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints for when services resume. In this regard, the aim is to double capacity at test centres over a three-month period. Subject to decisions on future Covid 19 restrictions, this will mean that additional capacity would be made available in April, May and June 2021.

Normal capacity before the pandemic was approximately 15,000 tests per month.  When the service reopened in July 2020, this was increased to 25,000 to deal with the backlog which had developed by that point.  Based on the capacity of 25,000 tests per month, the aim is to provide an additional 25,000 tests per month on top of this for the first 3 months of reopening, or a total of 75,000 extra test appointments over the three-month period. This would make substantial inroads into numbers waiting over that time period.

The Department has been in discussions with the RSA on how to return to the normal target for the maximum waiting time. It will not be possible to arrive at this quickly, given restraints which must be in place due to the pandemic.

 It is important to recognise that there are no quick fixes and that the continuing build-up of applications as the pandemic goes on means that it will take time to return to a normal waiting time. It is also important to emphasise that the review of Level 5 restrictions, which are currently due to expire on the 05 April, will impact on how quickly the backlog plan can be delivered.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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59. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the issue of long wait times for driver test dates due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15528/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The current public health emergency has had a profoundly disruptive effect on the driver learning and testing system in this country. I can assure the Deputy that my officials and I are very aware of the challenges facing the RSA as they work hard to further manage the backlog in the Driver Testing Service and we continue to monitor the situation and work with the Authority.

RSA driver testers are undertaking driving tests in extraordinarily difficult conditions in the current Covid19 environment. The driving test is conducted in an enclosed space for a period of over 15 minutes, where physical distancing is not possible. 

Given the significant risk to testers when conducting a driving test, Government has deemed that the driver testing service should be available ONLY for those involved in essential work under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.  The Road Safety Authority offers driving tests to those who can produce evidence that they are an essential worker, in accordance with Government definitions.  No exceptions can be made.

My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to help the service meet the growing demand for tests within the current public health situation.  An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised by my Department along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. Recruitment has commenced and a panel will be formed. However, hiring of testers requires advertising, selecting candidates and training. Newly hired testers require 7 weeks of training in order to be ready. Training is given by experienced testers, so while new hires are in training the capacity of the service is reduced.  We will continue to work with the Authority and monitor progress and we will consider whether additional recruitment is required as tests are resumed generally.

The provision of extra testers will not on its own suffice to address the problem.  One of the difficulties is with the capacity of test centres themselves, given limits on throughput due to Covid restrictions.

The RSA are also looking at a number of other measures, including whether the number of tests a driver tester can perform each day can be increased or not. When the service resumed in June 2020, testers were conducting 5 tests each per day, as against 8 before the pandemic.  This increased to 6 tests from 14 September. The RSA is looking to increase the number of tests to 7 per tester per day as well as extending operating hours when restrictions are lifted. Any decision on this matter will be guided by health protocols.

Waiting times have increased significantly and while this is not acceptable, we have to be realistic.  There are no easy fixes, and it will take time to work through the backlog and bring the numbers down.  Until Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions have been eased, no progress can be made on addressing the backlog. However, the Road Safety Authority has plans in place for when the service is allowed to resume for all learner permit holders to be tested at the earliest possible date, and a gradual return of driving test times to their pre-Covid levels.