Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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72. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to the major delays experienced by those trying to complete their full driving license test, if he will ensure that a healthcare worker is able to do their test urgently; the steps being taken to tackle these delays (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11734/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service. This includes test applications and scheduling matters. Neither I nor my Department have the power to intervene in individual cases.

I believe the RSA operates a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process, such that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest are offered a test first.

Urgent tests are only available to applicants who are employed by the HSE, a private hospital or the emergency services where the candidate would need to drive as part of their job (not including commuting to their place of work).

Information on who can apply for an emergency test is available at www.rsa.ie/services/learner-drivers/the-driving-test/faqs

On the broader issue of delays, the driver testing service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand which is 28% up on 2021 figures and 27% up on 2018 pre Covid-19 pandemic figures.

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, increased capacity in the Driver Theory Test and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.

The RSA 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.

Deployment of these successful candidates is almost complete and has been focused on geographical areas with the longest waiting lists.

Given the continued backlog, demand and capacity of the driver testing service was further reviewed in late 2022 and early 2023. My Department is actively engaged with the RSA in evaluating this subsequent request for additional resources at the present time.