Two Kerry TDs have condemned the lengthy delays for driving tests.
Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Pa Daly said figures from the Central Statistics Office show there were 83,000 waiting for driving tests at the end of last month.
He’s called on the government to implement his party’s proposals which include increasing the recruitment of driving test instructors.
Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae said Kerry needs a third driving test centre which should be in Cahersiveen.
Transport junior minister Seán Canney said the average waiting time for a driving test in Kerry is 23.5 weeks – the national average is 25 weeks – he said this is far above the acceptable service-level agreement target of ten weeks.
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae told the Dáil it’s an emergency.
Minister of State Canney said in recent years, the Department of Transport has sanctioned the recruitment of 200 driver testers – a doubling of testers since June 2022.
