The "massive backlog" of 72,738 people awaiting a driving test is a problem that will only grow and become more serious, especially once schools re-open.
This is the view of Sinn Féin Galway East representative, Louis O'Hara, who secured 16.7 per cent of first preference votes at the February General Election, and who lasted until the eighth and final count.
Mr O'Hara's comments came following confirmation by the Road Safety Authority that 72,738 people are on the waiting list, with 23,338 unable to now sit their test, due to not being able to finish the mandatory number of driver training lessons on time.
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While Mr O'Hara [pictured above] acknowledged that the cancellations and delays were necessary throughout lockdown, the situation still needs to addressed, and he said it should not be allowed to continue indefinitely.
'This affects people in rural Ireland who have no alternatives to car transport'
"This is causing massive problems for people who need to drive to work, and will become a bigger issue next month when children need to be dropped to school," he said. "It affects people in rural Ireland who have no alternatives to car transport. Without a test date, and without a full licence, people who rely on a car will struggle. The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, needs to address this urgently."
Tests have resumed at reduced capacity, with those who had a test booked before the pandemic prioritised. However, Mr O'Hara said Minister Ryan "needs to consider hiring additional testers" to deal with the waiting list and consult with testers and their union representatives about extending operating hours to deal with the backlog.
