According to Sinn Féin spokesperson Pa Daly, there are presently 72,000 trainee drivers awaiting their test, and the party has urged the government to address the backlog, reports RTE.
The average wait period for a test is now more than the statutory maximum of ten weeks, he added, with many patients waiting six months and others more than eight months.
“These delays cause great frustration in communities,” Mr Daly stated, reports RTE.
“They increase the price of learning to drive and entice inexperienced drivers to purchase pricey insurance plans. Learning to drive now costs more than €3,000 for some people,” reports RTE.
Additionally, he said that the government was not keeping up with the rising demand.
Mr. Daly went on to say that an accelerated hiring procedure for permanent teachers is necessary to eliminate the excessive reliance on temporary driving instructors.
“In all of these, it is impossible to overlook the Road Safety Authority’s subpar performance. As a result, we are demanding an immediate assessment of the work program, resources, and mission,” Mr. Daly stated, reports RTE.
He urged the government to determine the locations of all the driving test centre gaps and order the RSA and the Office of Public Works to close them.
A retake of the theory exam should be required for anybody renewing their driver’s license, according to Labour’s transport spokeswoman, reports RTE.
There is undoubtedly a need for driving refresher classes, according to Ciarán Ahern.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien informed the Dáil that he would not oppose the Sinn Féin motion because he found the delays intolerable, reports RTE.
He stated that the RSA was in charge of conducting driving tests, but he would cooperate with them.
According to Mr. O’Brien, 2024 was the busiest year for testing ever, with 250,000 tests delivered and 275,000 requests.
He stated that the government had approved the hiring of more testers, reports RTE.
According to the minister, the RSA was also attempting to open additional facilities in regions where waiting lists were the longest.
Jennifer Whitmore, TD for Social Democrats, stated that the RSA should be held accountable and subject to penalties for failing to fulfil its responsibilities under the service level agreement, reports RTE.
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