Carlow-Kilkenny TD Peter Chap Cleere has told the Dáil he believes excessive waiting times for driving tests are 'unfair for younger people', adding, he was 'astonished' that there are just five driving test examiners currently in the region.
"I have serious concerns about the significant delays in driving tests across my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny," Deputy Cleere said in the Dáil.
"This issue needs to be accelerated as soon as possible. We have to allocate new testers to centres across the country that are experiencing long delays," he added.
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"People spend months and months learning how to drive and it costs a lot of money. We must and have to do better."
Mr Cleere used Dáil time to name a number of Kilkenny areas where drivers are left stranded waiting for a test.
"This is unfair for younger people, some of whom are desperate to get their drivers licenses be it for health reasons or work reasons. It's just not acceptable," Deputy Cleere continued.
"I was astonished recently to learn of the low driver test numbers across Carlow-Kilkenny. There are only five testers between the two counties.
"We can not tackle long wait lists like we have with five testers," he continued.
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