Sinn Féin spokesperson on Dublin, Mark Ward TD, has criticized the government for failing to tackle driving waiting lists in Tallaght test centre.
This has renewed calls for urgency on the opening of a promised additional test centre for South Dublin.
Speaking ahead of statements on driving test waiting time in the Dail, Deputy Ward said:
“Figures from the CSO show that driving test waiting times for the Tallaght test centre are disgraceful. At the end of April, the backlog has risen to 20,442. This is up 1,555 from the end of 2024.
“What is worse is the waiting time in Tallaght, which is now a shocking 43 weeks, up from 26 at the end of 2024. This is far beyond the statutory minimum of 10 weeks.
“It is unacceptable that waiting times have been allowed to increase so much over such a short period of time.
“I have repeatedly raised this issue with government calling for an additional driving test centre to be opened in South Dublin.
“Even though the RSA have said that they will be placing a new test centre in South Dublin , there is no urgency.
“In February Sinn Féin brought forward a Private Member’s Bill, offering a range of measures to tackle the huge backlog. While the government did not oppose our motion, they certainly have ignored it ever since allowing waiting times and numbers to skyrocket.
“We need to see urgency from both the government and the RSA. People rely on being able to drive for their education, employment, access to healthcare and everything in between.
“I am calling on the government to urgently implement Sinn Féin’s proposals which include increased resourcing to meet demand, expediting and increasing the recruitment of driving test instructors, and plugging the gaps in driving test centre locations.
“The government has a long way to go to getting this right. The new test centre in South Dublin will be much needed step in the right direction.”