Written answers

Wednesday, 22 September 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Driver Test

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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23. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45735/21]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test.

Individual appointments are an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. 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.

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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24. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are contingency plans being put in place to deal with the backlog of driver theory test and full driving test applications in County Wicklow; if additional staff have been put in place in the county to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45736/21]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test and Theory Test.

Specific details relating to County Wicklow are held by the Road Safety Authority. This part of the 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.

Due to the suspension of driver testing services in the initial pandemic response, along with the health protocols required since the resumption of services, services are operating well below normal capacity and a significant backlog has developed.

In line with the gradual reopening of services this Summer, driving tests for all those who are eligible to take the test and have been waiting longest have now recommenced. Critical frontline workers continue to be the prioritised.

My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to meet the growing demand for tests. An additional 40 temporary driver testers have been authorised along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. In addition, sanction was granted at the end of June to add a further 40 testers to the cohort.

The RSA is looking to increase the number of tests from 6 to 7 per tester per day from the end of September as well as extending operating hours and expanding facilities at existing centres or opening new centres where appropriate.

The gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on 8th of June. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) reopened test centres and introduced capacity to increase the number of tests from an average of 15,000 tests (in normal times) to 25,000 tests monthly, to tackle the backlog and shorten waiting times.

The gradual re-opening of in-person driver theory test centres commenced on 8th of June. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) reopened test centres and introduced capacity to increase the number of tests from an average of 15,000 tests (in normal times) to over 25,000 tests monthly. Almost 50,000 tests were provided during the month of August.

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.

The RSA has been working to expand the online theory test service. The new offering will see up to 10,000 online theory tests available for all categories of vehicles 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.

From the start, it has been clear that the first priority is public safety. We want to provide services, and we know people are looking for services, but we will provide them only to the limit possible while preserving public health.

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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25. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons on a waiting list for a driving test by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45741/21]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test.

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.

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