Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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132. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the use of 15,000 driving tests completed between June 2025 to August 2025 using overtime is considered necessary, when the number of driving testers increased from 153 at the start of June 2025 to 181 at end of August 2025; the extra cost of 15,000 driving tests completed using overtime during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51762/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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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. Accordingly, the information requested is held by the RSA.

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

Pending this response, the Deputy will be aware that reducing driving test wait times has been one of my key priorities since taking office. I want to commend the RSA, in particular the driver testers, who have worked hard to ensure that the service returned to the 10-week average national waiting time target by September. Overtime has been a critical element of this recovery plan.