'We need to do better' - road safety chief admits Laois driving test waits too long

Laois learner drivers face over three half months waiting for driving tests in Portlaoise according to chief operations officer of the Road Safety Authority who has admitted that his agency 'must do better'.

Brendan Walsh commented after being quizzed by Laois Offaly TD Brian Stanley at a recent meeting in the Dáil. Mr Walsh and other RSA top brass were before the Dáil public accounts committee on June 27. 

The Sinn Féin TD asked: "Why is there a six-month waiting list in Portlaoise?"

He added that the figures were provided a few months ago.

Mr Walsh said the national average has dropped from 30 weeks some months back ago to 15 weeks. He provided figures for the Laois centre which show improvement. But Mr Walsh was not satisfied with the situation despite the reduction.

"The wait is currently 17 weeks, which is approximately three and a half months...we need to do better," said the Chief Operations Manager.

Dep Stanley asked how waiting lists are going to be tackled in Laois and elsewhere.

"To be honest, the way to deal with this is to employ more testers and we are working with our colleagues in the Department (of Transport) to do that," he said.

Mr Walsh added that there are 131 permanent staff and 34 or 35 contractors working as testers. He said 200 permanent testers are needed nationally.

While he suggested that learners could take advantage of cancellations or book tests in other centres, he admitted that there  slot test use is currently at 98% which he said is a very high level.

The RSA appeared before the Public Accounts Committee, which Dep Stanley chairs, on Thursday, June 27.