Clarke calls on government to tackle Westmeath's driving test crisis

Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, has slammed the government for presiding over yet another increase in the driving test backlog.

She said through bad planning and mismanagement, successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael-led governments had created a system that is not fit for purpose.

“A total of 2,159 learner drivers are now languishing on waiting lists in Westmeath.

“The average waiting time to take a test is now well above the statutory maximum of 10 weeks, with many people waiting six months to take the test and others over eight months.

“This is totally unacceptable. These delays cause great frustration in our community. They push up the costs of learning to drive and trap learner drivers in expensive insurance policies. For some, learning to drive now costs over €3000.

“The backlog even leads to disruptions in other vital services, as students or workers who rely on their licence are waiting in limbo. For example, there have been delays to the recruitment of Bus Éireann drivers as well as to paramedics as they require a licence to start their course.

“There are not enough permanent driving instructors and many areas are without a permanent, let alone temporary test centre.

“The government has completely failed to keep pace with increasing demand.

“This must change. Sinn Féin has developed a suite of measures to address these unacceptable delays.

“In our Dáil motion, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, Pa Daly, called on the government to match the increased demand for driving tests with appropriate resources. This means ending the over-reliance on temporary driving instructors and expediting the recruitment of permanent instructors.

“The unsatisfactory performance of the Road Safety Authority can’t be ignored in all of these. Therefore, we are calling for an urgent review of the mandate, resourcing and programme of work.

“Finally, the government must once and for all identify all the gaps in driving test centre locations and mandate the RSA and the OPW to fill them.

“The deepening crisis requires the political will, ambition and resourcing to solve it.

“Just like the crisis in housing, healthcare and the cost of living, more of the same from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will only make matters worse," Teachta Clarke said.