THERE has been a call for action to be taken by the Government to tackle the waiting list for driving tests in Kerry.
Labour Party activist, Ben Slimm from Tralee and Kerry Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly have both spoken about the issue calling for immediate action.
Figures released to Labour T.D Seán Sherlock after a Parliamentary Question, revealed that 1571 people are now waiting on a driving test in Tralee with 1323 people also waiting in Killarney.
Continued below…
“These figures are frightening. There are now 101,352 people waiting for a driving test nationwide with 2,894 people waiting in Kerry alone,” said Ben Slimm.
“As restrictions are easing and as people are being vaccinated and society is opening up, a plan must be put in place to immediately get on top of this. We need to considerably up the throughput of driving tests, driving lessons and theory tests in order to clear this massive backlog,” said Mr Slimm who ran for a seat on the Tralee Municipal District of Kerry County Council in 2019.
“People should be receiving test dates this week in order to move to reduce this colossal waiting list but they are not and a date hasn’t even been agreed between the Department of Transport and the RSA to resume tests. This should have been agreed weeks ago in anticipation of the anticipated easing of restrictions.
“This is an issue that affects young people in particular as the vast majority of those waiting for a test are under the age of 30. As hospitality, retail and other services reopen, young people in rural areas such as Kerry need to receive a date for a driving test in order to be able to safely travel to work,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly said; “Sinn Féin has been raising the unacceptable backlog and delays with driving tests for some time now, however the Minister for Transport appears to be asleep at the wheel.
“I am hearing from constituents who cannot travel to school, and who have lost job opportunities, due to their inability to book a theory test, take lessons and secure a test. Even essential workers are not able to take a theory test which prohibits them from proceeding with lessons to take their eventual test.
“I am hearing from constituents that driving test centres have a lot of availability, if only frontline workers could have their EDT lessons submitted in order that they can take the test.
“This is an area that could be re-opened safely and it would relieve the pressure on many if only the Minister was willing to find a solution within existing constraints,” he added.