Mattie McGrath: Criticises 9-Month NDLS Test Delays
Mattie McGrath criticised lengthy NDLS driving-test waiting lists in Clonmel, saying waits of up to nine months prevent young people from accessing employment and education. He urged the service to run weekend tests to reduce backlogs and called the situation unacceptable.
Main complaint
He said applying for a driving test in Clonmel today can lead to appointments only available in February, with waits of up to nine months on the portal and a marked regression in recent years.
Impact on young people and employers
He argued that young people who want to work or go to college cannot get tests, that parents are having to drive and accompany them under current regulations, and that contractors, farmers and other employers are unable to recruit because potential workers lack licences.
Calls for weekend testing to reduce backlog
He asked why the service does not operate Saturdays and Sundays to provide more tests and make an effort to reduce waiting lists, saying the current situation is "just not acceptable."
Government response and staffing report
The Taoiseach responded that there has been a significant increase in demand for driving tests since 2019 and noted that Mr Chambers has provided a report. The Taoiseach said additional driver testers are being hired and that an improvement is expected in the coming months. The transcript ends with the phrase "I have the Katsun Kran."
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The private service of the driving lights, the NDLS, if you apply today in Clonmel for a driving test, a young person or any person, it is in February, nearly in February before you will be allowed to go on the port to apply again. That is up to nine months waiting lists in Clonmel for people who do driving tests. These are young people who want to go to employment, want to go to college, and their parents are driving them and trying to accompany them with the regulations you brought in. They cannot get these tests, so why do not you work Saturdays and Sundays and have tests and make some effort? It has regressed badly in the last number of years, and it is just not acceptable. Young people for employment, as I said, and then people who want to employ these young people, whether they be contractors or farmers or whatever, they cannot get work. They are crying out for people to work for them, young people are enthusiastic, wanting to do their tests, get on the road, do everything right, and they are not allowed, cannot get a driving test. That makes us believe in 2023 that it will be February before they will go on the portal. Thank you. Taoiseach. I understand there has been a significant increase in demand for driving tests since 2019, pre-pandemic. That is a reflection of the fact that perhaps there is an increased population in the country, more people at work, and I appreciate how important it is to have a car in a lot of parts of the country. Mr Chambers has provided a report to us on this, and they are hiring additional driver testers, and we would expect the situation to improve in the coming months. I have the Katsun Kran.
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