James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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226. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current wait times and the number on waiting lists for driving tests, by each testing centre in Dublin city; the way in which the RSA intend to address the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13015/25]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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235. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason for a delay at a driving test centre (details supplied); if he is aware that some applicants have been waiting 20 weeks for a test date; the actions being taken to ensure an efficient service is provided from the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13219/25]

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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238. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the decreasing year on year monthly CSO numbers of driving tests being delivered in County Cork, the efforts being made to reduce waiting times for driving tests in the county; the number of testers employed at the beginning of each respective year from 2021 to 2025 inclusive; the plans to employ additional testers or to open additional testing centres in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13240/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 235 and 238 together.

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 them. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputies questions to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten days.

On the issue of delays in obtaining a driving test more generally, I acknowledge that current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable and I would like to assure the Deputies that measures have been taken to address the issue.

To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery, in September 2024 my Department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. This increases the total permanent sanction for testers to 200, which represents a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022.

As a condition of sanction, the RSA was required to put a plan in place to restore the 10-week waiting time target as soon as possible. I understand that recruitment is well underway, with offers being made to successful candidates. The first tranche of new testers started their training this month. As additional testers progressively enter the system and increase testing capacity, I expect that we will begin to see progress on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.

The Deputies may wish to note that the RSA publish detailed monthly information on the driver testing service on the CSO website, including the breakdown of waiting times and distribution of testing capacity by test centre. This information is available at the following link: data.cso.ie/table/ROA31