Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

114. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to issues being experienced by those who have booked their driver theory test before being notified of their appointment being cancelled and rescheduled some up to seven times and the difficulties this poses for those awaiting their theory test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34615/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can assure you that the Department is very aware of the challenges facing the RSA and its contract provider as they work hard to further manage the backlog in the Driver Theory Testing Service.

The gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. Test centres reopened and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 theory tests monthly.

The centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service.

The in-person Theory Test Services has the ability to gradually increase to 50,000 tests per month over time, if public health guidance permits. As the current guidelines restricts capacity to 25,000 tests per month, this means that there are currently some customers with an appointment for a Theory Test in June and July which must be rescheduled to a later date due to the volume restrictions.

The RSA has been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already underway for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include a limited number of car and motorbike tests.

The new offering will see 4,000 online theory tests available for all categories of vehicles per month in June. From July, the RSA plan to offer up to 10,000 tests per month. Tests are available on a first-come-first-served basis with the new online service becoming more widely available later in the year.

The RSA, like all organisations, and business must take its direction and guidance from the Government and the HSA in relation to capacity restrictions for in-person services and therefore must adopt and implement all recommendations relating to the services which can be provided. It will take time for the theory test service to return to normal and for the backlog to the cleared due to the service being suspended however, the Road Safety Authority has plans in place for a gradual return of waiting times to their pre-Covid levels.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

115. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to delays for persons who have passed their theory test in receiving their provisional licence; the current average waiting time for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34616/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

116. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons waiting for a theory test by county; the number who have applied to take the test online; the number who have since taken the theory test online; and the number of persons waiting for a driving test by county. [34617/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The driver theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.

The information requested is held by the RSA.

This question is therefore being referred to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

117. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional resources that have been provided to the RSA in order to assist with the backlog of theory tests and driver tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34618/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of both the Theory Test and Driving Test Services.

The Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for driving tests. An additional 40 temporary driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. The additional testers are expected to start testing by the end of June. In addition, sanction has recently been received to add a further 40 testers to that cohort. The Department will continue to monitor and review the situation.

In line with the further easing of restrictions, the gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on the 8th of June. The RSA reopened its network of test centres and will be permitted to conduct 25,000 driver theory tests per month.

The test centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service. It is hoped that capacity will gradually increase to 50,000 tests monthly, if public health guidance permits. The Driver Theory Test service provider has sourced an additional 40 temporary team members to support the expected increase in capacity to 50,000 in centre appointments when permitted to do so.

The RSA has been working to deliver an online theory test service, with a pilot online test already underway for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include a limited number of car and motorbike tests. The theory test service provider has sourced approx. 30 additional employees to manage the online testing facility. The tests are conducted under strict requirements in order to adequately verify the identity of candidates, and to ensure exams are completed in a secure manner, maintaining the integrity of the exam content and to prevent cheating or fraud. To replicate the highly secure nature of in-person testing, the on-line testing service requires live proctors to perform the required security and ID checks and monitor the theory tests in a live online environment.