Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to the addition of a cancellation list for driving test appointments at test centres nationally to facilitate those who urgently require a driving test appointment in view of the current five-month waiting time for a test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45195/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Consequently, neither I nor my Department have powers to intervene in aspects of service delivery, including scheduling matters.

I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for consideration and direct response on the specific issues raised. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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146. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current average waiting time for driving tests nationally; what progress has been made to date in reducing the five-month waiting time for driving tests experienced by applicants earlier in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45196/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for all aspects of the National Driving Test service.

The current national waiting time is currently 28 weeks, which far exceeds the agreed service level waiting time for invitation to test of 10 weeks. The service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures.

In response to these pressures, the Authority reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval in March for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.

I have been advised that the first tranche of new recruits were deployed in September and a small decline in average wait times has been seen following the deployment of the first new testers.

As of beginning of October, 29 additional driver testers have joined the Road Safety Authority (deployed or in training) with a further 13 lined up for November. This is a net increase to the organisation anticipated by end of December of 42 personnel.

The additional driver testers are being allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests. The backlog for driver testing services will continue to decline and the Authority estimates that agreed service levels of average wait times of 10 weeks will resume mid-2024.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes the deployment of driver testing staff.

As such, the first part of the question regarding the Cavan test centre is being referred to the RSA 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 service has been under significant pressure to meet unprecedented demand, which has increased by 28% compared with 2021 figures. In response to these pressures, earlier this year the Authority reviewed the capacity of the driver testing service and, following a request for additional resources, my Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to just over 200.

This recruitment is underway and being managed by the Authority. I have been advised that the first tranche of new recruits were deployed in September. The additional driver testers are being allocated across the driver testing service with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.

As the additional driver testers are trained and deployed, the backlog for driver testing services will begin to decline and the RSA estimate that the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks will resume in mid-2024.