Olivia Mitchell
Question:12 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the average pass rate at each test centre; the action he is taking to address this variation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15793/04]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2004
12 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the average pass rate at each test centre; the action he is taking to address this variation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15793/04]
View answer28 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport the number of persons awaiting driving tests in each test centre; the current waiting time at each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15792/04]
View answer31 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Transport the action he has taken to date to implement the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendations following a review of the driving test system; the number of persons awaiting driving tests in each test centre; the current waiting time at each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15789/04]
View answer57 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Transport the average pass rate at each test centre; the action he is taking to address this variation; the action he has taken to date to implement the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendations following a review of the driving test system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15794/04]
View answer63 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Transport his plans to address the driving test backlog; when he plans to introduce legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15770/04]
View answer70 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Transport the action he has taken to date to implement the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendations following a review of the driving test system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15791/04]
View answer90 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the plans he has to reform the driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15782/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 28, 31, 57, 63, 70 and 90 together.
The content of the driving test is set out in accordance with the provisions of the relevant EU directives. As in other EU countries, there are variations in the pass rate among test centres. The pass rate may be influenced by a number of factors including the number of lessons taken by the candidate, the standard of instruction available and demographic factors.
With regard to consistency in the standard of the driving test, my Department undertook a comprehensive training programme for all driver testers in 2002, covering procedures for carrying out the test, guidelines to assess faults and training to enhance customer service in the delivery of the driving test. The work of each individual tester is monitored on an ongoing basis by his-her supervisor and remedial action is taken where this is required.
The number of applicants awaiting a driving test fell from 125,009 in May 2003 to 121,153 as at 24 May 2004. The annual capacity of the driver testing service, inclusive of normal overtime, is in the region of 200,000 tests. I anticipate that the current waiting times will improve over the coming year. Driver testers continue to deliver additional tests by working overtime on Saturdays and at lunchtime. I have also asked my officials to explore the possibility of recruiting additional testers.
Preparation of legislation to establish the driver testing and standards authority, which will take on responsibility for conducting driving tests and will have more flexibility to respond to variations in demand, is almost complete. It is my intention to introduce this legislation in the Oireachtas in this session.
The pass rate for 2003 as well as the average waiting time and numbers waiting as at 24 May 2004 are set out in the following table.
Test Centre |
Average Weeks Waiting |
Number of Applicants Waiting |
Pass rate 2003 |
% |
|||
North Leinster |
|||
Finglas |
27 |
8,691 |
48.8 |
Dundalk |
24 |
2,919 |
51.6 |
Mullingar |
24 |
1,699 |
57.0 |
Navan |
41 |
4,418 |
54.4 |
Raheny |
37 |
7,663 |
49.7 |
South Leinster |
|||
Churchtown/Rathgar |
33 |
11,364 |
48.3 |
Gorey |
25 |
1,934 |
52.6 |
Naas |
33 |
6,733 |
53.6 |
Tullamore |
29 |
1,684 |
54.2 |
Wicklow |
40 |
2,236 |
47.3 |
Tallaght |
50 |
8,711 |
50.9 |
West |
|||
Athlone |
17 |
1,118 |
57.0 |
Birr |
29 |
1,166 |
65.1 |
Castlebar |
32 |
2,169 |
62.1 |
Clifden |
18 |
308 |
56.0 |
Ennis |
10 |
835 |
65.5 |
Galway |
26 |
2,653 |
61.2 |
Loughrea |
15 |
810 |
58.5 |
Roscommon |
26 |
989 |
60.0 |
Tuam |
28 |
1,092 |
64.2 |
North West |
|||
Ballina |
32 |
1,173 |
61.2 |
Buncrana |
31 |
626 |
65.6 |
Carrick-on-Shannon |
36 |
1,170 |
54.4 |
Cavan |
43 |
1,926 |
50.2 |
Donegal |
32 |
1,108 |
57.1 |
Letterkenny |
38 |
2,011 |
60.4 |
Longford |
39 |
1,009 |
55.9 |
Monaghan |
41 |
1312 |
50.8 |
Sligo |
31 |
1,388 |
63.5 |
South East |
|||
Carlow |
34 |
2,513 |
49.2 |
Clonmel |
41 |
2,088 |
51.3 |
Dungarvan |
49 |
1,735 |
57.3 |
Kilkenny |
37 |
2,399 |
55.4 |
Nenagh |
43 |
789 |
49.8 |
Portlaoise |
42 |
1,526 |
50.0 |
Thurles |
39 |
1,175 |
56.3 |
Tipperary |
40 |
1,167 |
47.9 |
Waterford |
54 |
3,461 |
54.8 |
Wexford |
29 |
2,452 |
51.5 |
South West |
|||
Cork |
24 |
6,263 |
55.5 |
Killarney |
32 |
1,967 |
60.0 |
Kilrush |
26 |
546 |
62.3 |
Limerick |
37 |
3,824 |
62.3 |
Mallow |
29 |
2,044 |
57.8 |
Newcastle West |
30 |
1,677 |
60.5 |
Shannon |
38 |
959 |
66.4 |
Skibbereen |
33 |
1,853 |
59.5 |
Tralee |
32 |
1802 |
59.7 |
Note: The average waiting time is derived having regard to waiting times experienced by individual applicants who have undergone a driving test over the previous four week period in the test centre.