Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
217. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action he is taking to reduce the waiting time for driving re-test appointments at a test centre (details supplied), in view that re-test appointments are extending beyond the ten-week wait period to 15 to 19 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport what actions his Department or the RSA are taking in order to reduce the backlog in waiting times for drivers who are booking a re-test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1125/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 224 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. This includes all application and scheduling matters.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten days.
Pending this detailed response, to address the issue of driving test waiting times, in September 2024 my Department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers. This increases the total permanent sanction for driver testers to 200, which represents a doubling of the comparable sanction of 100 posts in June 2022 in just over two years.
As a condition of sanction for these additional resources, my officials have requested that a plan is put in place to restore waiting times to 10 weeks as soon as possible. I understand that recruitment is well underway and additional capacity will enter the service in the coming months, helping to progressively reduce waiting times.
