Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

186. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to review the delays and wait times for driving tests in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8218/23]

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

The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and information on specific centres is held by them. I have therefore referred your 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.

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 has deployed the majority 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 the end of 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. The RSA has submitted a sanction request for increases in driver testers which my department is currently evaluating.