Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

203. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) can reschedule their driving test, given they missed their test date through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63975/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test.  This includes operational matters such as test applications and scheduling. The Department of Transport does not have access to individual applications nor have I any power to intervene in individual cases. 

I have referred this question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driving testers currently employed by the RSA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63983/22]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the number of driving testers assigned to each RSA driving testing centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63985/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 207 together.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test and deals with all workforce and scheduling matters. Therefore I have referred the relevant parts of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

On the broader issue of driver testing delays, I am informed that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include: an increase in learner permits in circulation which has grown by about 30% since Q3 2019; increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test when the service resumed post Covid-19 pandemic and an increase in Advanced Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers which has increased the volume of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their actual test.

I would like to assure the Deputy that the RSA is making every effort to address this issue.  The Authority conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my Department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130. 

I am informed that the RSA is currently deploying a number of successful candidates across the driver testing service, with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists. It is expected that the remainder will be deployed by Q1 2023.

The RSA has assured me that they are keeping the situation under constant review and the Authority will report back to my Department on the steps being taken to continue to reduce waiting times. If sanction requests for further increases in driver testers are received, my Department will evaluate them promptly. 

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driving testers by the RSA in January 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63984/22]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

208. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of driving testers assigned to each RSA driving testing centre in January 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63986/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 208 together.

The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the figures requested are held by them. I have therefore referred this Question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

210. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if arrangements can be put in place for driving test applicants who are waiting longer than the pre-Covid target waiting time of ten weeks to be accommodated at another RSA driving test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63988/22]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test and deals with all application and scheduling matters. Therefore I have referred the relevant parts of the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

On the broader issue of driver testing delays, I am informed that the current increase in demand for driving tests and the time to invitation for learner drivers has a number of contributing factors which include: an increase in learner permits in circulation which has grown by about 30% since Q3 2019; increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test when the service resumed post Covid-19 pandemic and an increase in Advanced Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers which has increased the volume of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their actual test.

I would like to assure the Deputy that the RSA is making every effort to address this issue.  The Authority conducted a review of the current and evolving needs of the driver testing service in 2022, following which my Department sanctioned an increase in the permanent driver tester headcount from 100 to 130. 

I am informed that the RSA is currently deploying a number of successful candidates across the driver testing service, with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists. It is expected that the remainder will be deployed by Q1 2023.

The RSA has assured me that they are keeping the situation under constant review and the Authority will report back to my Department on the steps being taken to continue to reduce waiting times. If sanction requests for further increases in driver testers are received, my Department will evaluate them promptly.