Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the anomaly by which if a person has paid their motor tax online, but not yet received the motor tax certificate, they are unable to book a driving test. [46307/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be pleased to learn that he has been misinformed. There is no such anomaly.

There is nothing in the Road Safety Authority driver test booking system which links the driving test with motor tax, so that not having motor tax, or proof of motor tax, at the time of booking is irrelevant to the test application process. The only motor tax requirement connected to the driving test is that the vehicle in which the person presents themselves to take their test must have a valid tax disc on the day of the test.

I would like to point out that people can use another vehicle – they do not have to undertake their test in their own if for some reason (tax, insurance, NCT) it is not available on the day. Many people rent the car for their test from their driving school, for example.

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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258. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons currently on the waiting list for the standard driver test in test centres in County Wicklow; the mechanisms being put in place to alleviate this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46341/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Specific details on individual test centres are an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this part of the question 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 priority for the driver testing service.

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. These testers have been recruited and trained and commenced testing in July.

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 shortly as well as extending operating hours and expanding facilities at existing centres or opening new centres where appropriate.

The health of both the public and the testers themselves must take priority, and as a result it is important to recognise that it will take time to get driver testing waiting times back to normal pre-Covid levels.