Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:152. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the reduction of driving test waiting times in County Cork as of June 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36814/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 3 July 2025
Ceisteanna (152, 155)
Eoghan Kenny
Ceist:155. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Transport to outline the most recent data available on driving test waiting times in Mallow, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36817/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 155 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Neither I nor my officials are involved in the service at an operational level. As such, the information requested regarding waiting times in Mallow and County Cork is held by the Authority.
Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
More generally, as of 28 June, the RSA is reporting that the average national waiting time for a driving test stood at approximately 16 weeks. This builds on the progress to end of May which saw wait times of approximately 21 weeks and is an improvement of almost 11 weeks on the wait time at the end of April of 27 weeks.
This progress has been achieved through a number of positive actions taken by the RSA including around accelerated driver tester training, extended testing hours, and management of the booking system to maximise slot availability.
It is vital that this positive trend continues and that the RSA, at a minimum, meets the targets set out in its published plan.
The Deputy may also 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/product/RSADTS
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.