Drivers across Clare can breathe a sigh of relief following a dramatic reduction in driving test waiting times in the county.
Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. announced this week that average test waiting times at Clare’s three test centres are down by 55%, from 61 weeks to 28 weeks. The local T.D. welcomed the significant decrease in waiting times and paid tribute to the Department of Transport and Road Safety Authority for their efforts to improve driver skills and reduce the number of people on the roads who have not sat a driving test.
Figures obtained by Minister Killeen indicate that the Ennis Test Centre recorded the most significant decrease in waiting times. In November 2007, approximately 1400 people were on the waiting list with average waiting times of 26 weeks. By 3 March 2009, there were 434 people waiting an average of 6 weeks to sit a driving test. During the same period, the Kilrush and Shannon Test Centres have experienced drops in waiting times of 30% (14 weeks down to 10 weeks) and 40% (21 weeks down to 12 weeks) respectively.
Minister Killeen explained that the lengthy waiting times had been a source of annoyance for motorists wishing to obtain full driver licences. “I am delighted to see that waiting lists and times for driving tests have been steadily dropping at Clare’s three test centres. The move to reduce waiting times has been part of an overall road safety strategy from the Road Safety Authority. The implementation of this strategy coincided with the introduction of new rules for Provisional Driving Licence holders,” he added.
Drivers across Clare can breathe a sigh of relief following a dramatic reduction in driving test waiting times in the county.
Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. announced this week that average test waiting times at Clare’s three test centres are down by 55%, from 61 weeks to 28 weeks. The local T.D. welcomed the significant decrease in waiting times and paid tribute to the Department of Transport and Road Safety Authority for their efforts to improve driver skills and reduce the number of people on the roads who have not sat a driving test.
Figures obtained by Minister Killeen indicate that the Ennis Test Centre recorded the most significant decrease in waiting times. In November 2007, approximately 1400 people were on the waiting list with average waiting times of 26 weeks. By 3 March 2009, there were 434 people waiting an average of 6 weeks to sit a driving test. During the same period, the Kilrush and Shannon Test Centres have experienced drops in waiting times of 30% (14 weeks down to 10 weeks) and 40% (21 weeks down to 12 weeks) respectively.
Minister Killeen explained that the lengthy waiting times had been a source of annoyance for motorists wishing to obtain full driver licences. “I am delighted to see that waiting lists and times for driving tests have been steadily dropping at Clare’s three test centres. The move to reduce waiting times has been part of an overall road safety strategy from the Road Safety Authority. The implementation of this strategy coincided with the introduction of new rules for Provisional Driving Licence holders,” he added.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy has welcomed the Government’s announcement that the electronic monitoring of high-risk sex offenders was currently under examination.
The Independent Member of Clare County Council noted that any measures taken to monitor identified high-risk sex offenders after their release from imprisonment would be welcomed by society at large. The proposal is one of a number of measures being looked at by the Government to deal with the management of convicted sex offenders.
Councillor McCarthy added that the scheduled introduction of new laws on the period for registration by convicted sex offenders represented another significant step forward. “I welcome the announcement by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Dermot Ahern that convicted sex offenders will be allowed only three days instead of seven before they must register with Gardaí upon release from prison or arrival in the country. While I do believe that this period should be shortened even further, it does signify a significant step forward in tightening legislation in this area,” she stated.
Commenting on the range of other measures being proposed, Councillor McCarthy said, “Many people are unaware that practically all sex offenders are released at some point. Therefore, I am delighted to learn that standardised, evidence-based risk assessments specifically designed for sex offenders will be introduced with the aim of assessing the risk level of all convicted sex offenders. It is reassuring to see that the results of assessments will be shared as appropriate between the Gardaí, the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service.”
The measures are outlined in a discussion document, entitled ‘The Management of Sex Offenders’. The document reviews the existing situation regarding the management of sex offenders, puts forward proposals for future developments, and invites contributions and observations. Among the other measures being proposed is the risk assessment of all sex offenders in prison for the purpose of determining the appropriate interventions in prison so as to inform plans for their release back into the community following completion of their sentence. Furthermore, all sex offenders registered with the Gardaí will also be assessed. The purpose of risk assessment is to identify the higher risk sex offenders, determine the appropriate interventions and the level of monitoring that may be required. In the case of every person convicted of a sexual offence, the sentencing court will be offered a risk assessment for the offender. The aim is to ensure courts have better information when deciding on sentences and any post release supervision.
”I am sure communities across the country will welcome these proposals. For many years, community and public representatives have sought legislation that provides the Gardaí and the Probation Service with sufficient powers and resources to monitor convicted sex offenders in the community,” concluded Councillor McCarthy.
