asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the inordinate delay encountered by applicants who wish to take a driving test, and the steps, if any, he proposes to take to remedy the matter.

The present abnormal waiting period for driving tests throughout the country has arisen out of the exceptional continuing increase in the demand for driving tests in 1978, which numbered 112,018. This was an increase of 19 per cent over 1977. Nine driver testers were appointed during 1978, bringing the number of testers operating to 60 and the recruitment of extra testers will proceed in the current year. At the same time, I am reviewing all aspects of testing procedures to see if further action by me would be appropriate, without prejudice to the objectives on which the system is based.

(Cavan-Monaghan): What is the average waiting time for driving tests at the moment?

And what was it last year?

The present waiting period for driving tests ranges from 24 weeks at some eight centres to 33 weeks at two centres.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Surely the Minister will agree that that is outrageous?

I agree that it is too long. I have already recruited in 1978 further testers and we are continuing to recruit more testers. We took other temporary measures during the course of the year to cope with the existing backlog. These measures included the shortening of the test routes and the test times for a period of six months.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that many young men who have got jobs are not in a position to take them up and have lost the opportunity of taking a job because of being kept waiting six months for a test?

I am endeavouring to cut down that backlog by getting more testers and changing some of the test procedures.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Until this backlog is cleared will the Minister give priority to applicants for driving tests whose jobs depend on having a licence?

Where representations are made in that connection and in the event of a job being at risk we do tend to give priority.