The waiting time for driving tests in Clonmel, County Tipperary, is approximately 29 weeks.

In Tipperary town, the waiting time is 13 weeks. Candidates who have failed a driving test automatically receive an email invitation to book another driving test once they have waited the required amount of time, or must resit the theory test, which can mean a wait of a further eight to ten weeks. The Road Safety Authority, RSA, does not operate a situation whereby candidates can avail of cancelled appointments. The waiting times are a great frustration to everybody, including people arriving to work for multinational companies and especially young people. As they complete their college year in April or May, many of them want to be able to drive to summer jobs. This is a big issue that needs to be dealt with. It is impeding their ability to work, go to college and drive socially. It needs to be dealt with.

I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge on behalf of the Government that the waiting times for driving tests are too long. They are averaging at 20 or 21 weeks across the country. The service level agreement says ten weeks, so nobody should have to wait more than ten weeks for a driving test appointment. The reason the delays are happening is because there has been a 30% increase in applications for driving tests. Levels are now 30% higher than even before the pandemic period, and there is backlog related to that too. We are increasing the number of testers from 100 to 130, which is a 30% increase that will get us on top of the backlog. I guarantee we will get on top of it. A bit like the work permits and passports, it will take a bit of time but we will do it.