Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has said that it is unacceptable that there has been no change in the long delays in accessing a driving test in the Tallaght test centre, saying that the Government have only allowed the number to grow despite having had two years to take action.

Teachta Crowe has called for a new test centre to be established in South Dublin to take the burden off of the Tallaght centre and allow people to get a chance at a driving test without unreasonable delay.

The number of people waiting on a test in Tallaght is now 11,814 out of a state-wide total of 109,364, meaning that almost 11% of all people waiting on a test are based in the Tallaght catchment area.

Teachta Crowe said:

“I have been highlighting the ongoing difficulties on getting a driving test in the Tallaght area with Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan since he took office almost two years ago. In that time, the number of people waiting for a test has continued to grow and we have seen nothing but a token response from Minister Ryan and his Government.

“There are now 11,814 people waiting on a test at the Tallaght test centre. Out of a state-wide total of 109,364, this means that almost 11% of all people waiting on a test are waiting in the Tallaght area.

“We have seen nothing but a tokenistic response from the Government where Tallaght was temporarily given three additional testers last year and the results are clear. The numbers continue to rise and waiting times for a test are getting longer

“The south of Dublin is poorly served for testing centres. Of the eight testing centres in the Dublin region, six are on the northside. I believe it has gotten to well past the stage where a new testing centre is required to alleviate the burden on Tallaght and work through the large number of people waiting on a test.

“We cannot leave people in limbo when it comes to driving tests any longer. It makes life all the harder when it comes to getting anywhere especially in areas of poor transport links and by these delays, we are needlessly adding to the burden on workers and families.”