Young people have had it incredibly tough in the past couple of years. Covid has deprived them of so much. It has impacted their education, mental health and ability to socialise and have fun. We need to move mountains for young people more than we ever have. The least we can do is provide them with timely access to driving tests. Waiting five months for a driving test after making an application is not good enough. The rescheduling of tests is a cause of great frustration, particularly when an appointment for a test and is put back by months. We need to change this. The problem is particularly acute in Cork. In Skibbereen, there were two testers previously but now there is only one. We are hearing rumours that St. Finbarr's test centre may close. We need to do more. The least we can do is give people timely access to driving tests.

I agree. It is extremely important that people, especially young people, have the freedom a driving licence gives them. That is especially the case in more rural areas where it is much harder to get around if someone does not have a driving licence or a car. My understanding is that there has been a considerable increase in the number of people applying for driving tests. It is approximately 25% or 30% higher than it was pre pandemic. As a result of this, we have hired 25% or 30% more driving testers. A bit like the issue with the work permits and passports, this is kind of a bounce-back effect of the pandemic. We expect to get it under control and to be in a position whereby people can get their tests in a timely manner. I will come back to the Deputy with a bit more detail on what is being done.