Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to significant delays in the driver testing system; his plans to address the backlog; and the estimated time it will take to clear the backlog. [15626/23]

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), however, the Authority is working closely with my Department to address the issue of driver testing 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 to book a test appointment 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 and an increase in Approved Driving Instructors capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers which has increased the volume of learners becoming eligible and ready to take their test.

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. 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 a subsequent request for additional resources at the present time.