Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if extra resources have been provided to the Road Safety Authority to reduce the backlog in driving test applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55967/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Due to the suspension of driver testing services in the initial pandemic response, along with the health protocols required since the resumption of services, a significant backlog in driving tests developed. When the service resumed in June 2020, testers were conducting five tests each per day, as against eight before the pandemic. This subsequently increased to six tests and since 27 September 2021, has further increased to seven tests per tester per day.

In order to deal with the backlog created by Covid, the RSA received approval to rehire 36 temporary testers. In addition, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 additional testers on a temporary basis to assist with the backlogs. These new testers completed their training and have been conducting tests since July 2021. Sanction has also been granted to recruit a further 40 testers.

Procedures require approval for hiring of staff from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, and we have responded to the needs of the RSA by giving the approvals mentioned.

I am aware that the 36 temporary testers rehired in 2020 are on contracts which are due to expire in December, March, and May. I am happy to say that my Department has approved a further extension of contracts for those due to expire in December and March. The RSA will conduct a review next year to see how the service is performing and to reassess its needs in light of evolving demand.