Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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296. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the wait times for each driving test centre; the actions that he is taking to reduce the long waiting times being experienced to access driving tests; the number of driving instructors whose contracts expire within the next three months; if he has engaged with the RSA in relation to retaining these instructors to help alleviate the long wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2394/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the national driving test and deals with all application and scheduling matters. I have therefore referred the specific parts of the question related to test times and driver tester contracts to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply 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.