Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to provide additional resources to the Road Safety Authority to enable it to reduce driving test waiting lists, which are currently at unacceptable levels; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that since the resumption of driving tests, applicants are waiting up to six months or more for a driving test, which in many cases is impacting severely on applicants' employment prospects or students' ability to get to and from college; if his attention has been drawn to the need for driving test waiting lists to be substantially reduced so all applicants are provided with a driving test without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48203/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Department is very aware of the challenges facing the RSA as they work hard to further manage the backlog in the Driver Testing Service.

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 in particular for those 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.

As of the 27th of September, the RSA has increased its operating capacity from 6 to 7 tests per tester per day. Extended operating hours and expanded facilities at existing centres or new centres where appropriate include other measures being taken.

These resources will enable the RSA, which is funded through the fees it receives for the services it provides, under the Road Safety Authority Act, to address the backlogs. The question of providing additional financial resources does not therefore arise.

The number of tests scheduled is increasing on a gradual basis. However, it should be noted that approximately 5% of all tests scheduled are not conducted or are abandoned on the day for a number of reasons (e.g. no NCT, insurance not valid etc). In addition, it is very disappointing to note that a number of people do not turn up on the day for their scheduled test. The RSA has been working hard to reduce this “no show” rate, which was 10% and the volume of “no shows” has now dropped to an average of 2.18%.

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.