Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the backlog of learner driver theory tests will be dealt with given that many have had their test date rescheduled up to four times in the past year such as a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23874/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Driver Theory Test is considered a non-essential service and remains closed.

Because the service was closed for long periods of time over the last year, a large backlog of customers has built up. The RSA recognise that it will take time to meet this demand and restore pre-COVID-19 waiting times when the service does reopen.

In response to this, the RSA will introduce an increase in capacity within the service when it is allowed to re-open. This additional capacity will see the number of tests increase from an average pre Covid19 output of 15,000 tests per month to 50,000 per month when the service resumes. This will help significantly to tackle the backlog of customers.

A pilot online driver theory test is underway for trucks and buses. The rollout of this option to theory tests for cars is planned to begin shortly. There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the service during the initial rollout phase, but work is ongoing to make online services more widely available towards the end of 2021.

Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the backlog of driver tests will be managed to ensure the backlog is cleared quickly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23875/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Driving tests for essential workers will continue to be the priority for the driver testing service. In line with the gradual reopening of services, driving tests for all those who are eligible to take the test and have been waiting longest will recommence in a limited fashion this month and the situation will be kept under review.

The RSA and the Department plan to reduce the waiting times and backlog of those waiting for driving tests as quickly as possible. In addition to recently recruiting 40 temporary testers, 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. It is also planned to seek sanction to recruit a further 40 testers to tackle the backlog and waiting times when full services resume. This will bring the cohort of testers up to 218.