David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current waiting time for driving tests for County Waterford; the number waiting; the reason for the delay; the steps he is taking to address the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11752/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore referred the specific part of the Question in relation to the Waterford testing centres 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 delays the RSA is endeavouring to eliminate the backlog in Driver Testing.The 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.

I am told 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, 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.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to respond to issues raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the Drogheda driver test centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11769/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is 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 has not been received within ten days. However I would also like to assure the Deputy that a customer may undertake a test in any centre regardless of the county they complete their driving lessons.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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76. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons on waiting lists for a driving test at each test centre nationwide; the average waiting time nationally at present for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11802/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The operation of the national driving test service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and the information requested is 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 has not been received within ten days.

On the broader issue of delays the RSA is endeavouring to eliminate the backlog in Driver Testing.The 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.

I am told 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, 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.