Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that he is taking to reduce the waiting time for a driving test at Clonmel test centre (details supplied); the reason for the long wait time; the number of persons who are waiting for a test at the centre; the current average wait time for a test; the number waiting for tests in all test centres; the average wait time in all test centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47979/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Due to the Covid pandemic, and the necessary ensuing precautions, a significant backlog of driver testing services developed. Since public health restrictions have eased, considerable progress has been made, and waiting times have reduced significantly.

Pre Covid, the target national average wait for a test was ten weeks. On the eve of the pandemic, however, the actual waiting time was approximately six and a half weeks. This increased to 25 weeks during the pandemic. The pre-pandemic national average target wait of ten weeks was once again achieved by the end of 2021. Projections made early last year had estimated it would be February 2022 before this point was reached.

There has been an increase in application volumes and learners becoming eligible to take their test since the start of the year as the economy once again reopened and many learners who availed of increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test are now becoming eligible.

The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and in early 2022, the RSA conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver tester service. This recommended that the number of permanent driver testers employed by the RSA should be raised from 100 to 130. Following due consideration, my Department gave approval for these additional personnel in June 2022. Recruitment is underway and the RSA hope to see new testers commence work before year end.

Specific details regarding Clonmel test centre and waiting times are held by the RSA. 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.