320. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken to reduce driving test waiting times across the State; his views that current waiting times of over 15 weeks in order to sit a test in Killester and Raheny driving test centres are far too long; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29457/26]

Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days. The Deputy may also wish to note that the statistics for waiting times for individual test centres are made available on the CSO website on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link: data.cso.ie/table/ROA36.

Pending this response, the latest information provided to me by the RSA indicates that as of 18 April, the national average waiting time for a driving test is 12 weeks with the Raheny and Killester test centres at 16 and 17-weeks respectively. I am assured by the RSA that work is continuing to reduce the waiting times in line with the 10 week target.

The long-term solution to driver testing waiting times is increasing capacity with the recruitment of additional driver testers. In September 2024, my Department conveyed sanction for 70 additional driver testing posts on a permanent basis, bringing the permanent sanction for driver testers to 200. This represents a doubling of permanent posts since June 2022. As of 4 April, 193 testers were in place, which marks a significant increase on the 151 available at the beginning of 2025. The RSA is working to reach its full sanctioned complement of 200 testers later this year subject to training and onboarding of new recruits.

The Deputy might wish to note that the driver testing booking system now makes available cancelled test slots for candidates to take up at short notice. I would encourage learner drivers awaiting a test to monitor this channel, which may provide an opportunity to book an earlier testing date.

It should be noted that the service continues to see increased demand, with 20% more applications for a driving test received at end March when compared to the same period last year. I am told that a contributing factor to this higher demand is the tightening of restrictions on multiple learner permits, as drivers seek tests before the new regulations come into effect from 1 November this year.

As the Deputy will be aware, from a road safety perspective, it is vital that drivers complete the learning to drive process and become fully qualified, safety aware drivers, and that drivers do not hold learner permits without ever taking a driving test.