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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Skibbereen driving tests

Summary

Michael Collins raises the loss of driving test capacity in Skibbereen and the long waiting time for rural applicants. The Taoiseach says he will follow the matter up with the Transport Minister and reply in writing.

Up to December 2022, two driver testers were based in and working out of Skibbereen. Those two testers were relocated from Skibbereen. A full-time tester was appointed once again at the end of December. However, there is an urgent need for a second full-time tester in Skibbereen to cater for the huge area of west Cork. We have a shocking transport service in west Cork, and everybody depends on a car. Many of our younger people are trying to get a driving test and now the waiting list is seven months for them as they try to get on with their lives for work or for other reasons. I brought this issue up with the previous Taoiseach and failed to get anywhere. I am pleading with the new Taoiseach to try to intervene to get a second driver tester appointed to Skibbereen. It is a huge area. We are talking from Ballinhassig out west to Skibbereen, obviously, up into Beara and the Mizen Head and Sheep's Head peninsulas, a huge area to cover with one tester. It is not fair on the young people of west Cork.

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I will have to follow that up with the Minister for Transport.

I appreciate that there are delays around the country in people getting their driving tests in a timely manner. I know that is particularly important in rural areas where people need their cars to get to work and college. I will check that with the Minister for Transport and come back to the Deputy in writing.

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