I raise with the Minister the driving test backlog. There are 12-month waiting lists for driving tests. I understand there was a safety issue with physical driving tests at the height of Covid but as we emerge from the pandemic, the Minister needs to provide staff to catch up. Approximately 100,000 people are waiting for driving tests. The Road Safety Authority sought 80 extra driver testers and I understand 40 were provided. Perhaps the Minister will confirm that. This is holding people up. The suspension of the theory test does not make sense. The test could be done in cubicles or online. It should never have been suspended during Covid-19.

I also raise the issue of testing for motorcyclists, one of whom told me he cannot do the driving test because of Covid. I failed to figure out how someone could catch Covid on a motorbike. Driving tests for motorcyclists seem to be suspended also. Perhaps the Minister will clarify this. It is causing major problems in counties Laois and Offaly for those who need a licence and car for work, especially those who live in rural areas of the midlands who do not have public transport.

The Deputy has made his point.

When will we see action on these very difficult issues?

Deputy Thomas Gould also has a question, which he can put before we conclude.

Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers was set up 35 years ago, in 1986. Since then, it has moved from Na Piarsaigh football and hurling club to the North Monastery and later to the North Point Business Park. The Department of Education is in negotiations with the Farranferris Foundation. Gaelscoil Pheig Sayers needs a new purpose-built school. Will the Minister commit to this? Twelve years ago, the school had 89 students. It now has more than 300. There is great enthusiasm for educating young children in Cork North-Central through Irish. It is time we delivered a school because 35 years is too long to wait for the Gaelscoil.

Will the Minister address those two questions?

I will pass on to the Minister for Education the case the Deputy made regarding the needs of the Gaelscoil in question.

On Deputy Stanley's question, motorcycle testing is returning. As the Deputy said, the physical reality for doing the test is now very different. We provided for an additional 42 driving testers. The direction I gave was that if further testers were needed, an additional 40 would be provided. The RSA must manage its resources to optimise that allocation. It indicated that the additional testers provided should suffice for the time being. If there is anything we can do to reduce the driver test backlog when testing is allowed to return, we will do it. Similarly, I expect the driver theory tests to recommence first and quickly, not only online but also in person as soon as the public health authorities say the centres can be reopened.