Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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176. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures being taken to address the long waiting lists for driving tests in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14867/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, 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.

I acknowledge that current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable and I would like to assure the Deputy 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 the recruitment process is well underway, with the first tranche of new testers having commenced training this month. As additional testers enter the system, testing capacity will increase and I expect that we will begin to see progress on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.

John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the efforts of the RSA to relocate the driving test centre in Galway city away from the existing location at the Westside Shopping Centre to an alternative location; if information in relation to the location of the new centre will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14882/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, 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, including the provision of test centres and their locations.

As such, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.