James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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172. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers, approved by his Department in March of this year; if he will confirm the geographical areas where the first tranche of new recruits were deployed in September; if he will outline how many additional testers were assigned to Waterford; if he will outline how many additional testers were assigned to Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52353/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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. As such, the specific information regarding the deployment of additional testers to particular locations, including to Waterford and Cork, is held by them. I have therefore referred that part of question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

My Department gave approval for the recruitment of up to 75 additional driver testers in March of this year. This brings the total number of sanctioned driver tester posts to 205, which is more than double the 100 sanctioned testing posts in June 2022.

The first tranche of new recruits were deployed in September and it is expected that before the end of the year there will be a net increase of 42 driver testers. These new recruits will be deployed across the driver testing service with a focus on geographical areas with the longest waiting times and highest demand for tests.

With the introduction of additional testing capacity in September, there has been a steady decline in average wait times from 30.4 weeks at end-August to 24.9 weeks at end-October. This downward trend is expected to continue as the new testers into service and the RSA estimates that the agreed service level of average wait times of 10 weeks will resume in mid-2024.

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update from the Road Safety Authority on a new permanent driving test centre for Drogheda, County Louth; if the RSA has any proposals for a new temporary centre for the town in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52375/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 and the information requested is held by that agency. I have therefore referred the questions to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.