Almost 1,800 people are waiting for a driving test in Cavan, Monaghan and Meath.
The figure of 1,789 was provided by the Department to Cavan Fianna Fail TD, Deputy Niamh Smyth this week.
She said she has also been advised by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) - following questions she raised with the Minister for Transport - that it’s currently taking 11 weeks to receive a date for driving tests.
“Not only this but in figures provided to me by the RSA, I can confirm that 707 people are awaiting their test in Cavan with 202 of those applicants scheduled for their test,” Deputy Smyth continued.
“505 people in Cavan are still waiting to receive their date in the post.
“In comparison, Monaghan has 299 applicants waiting on a test, 128 of which have had their test scheduled.”
Meanwhile, in Meath, the figures are similar to Co Cavan with 783 waiting for their test and 553 applicants waiting to receive a date.
Deputy Smyth says she has also been advised that between the three counties, 1,691 people have been invited to choose a test appointment but have declined.
463 people in Cavan have been deemed ineligible for an appointment while there are 196 in Monaghan and 855 in Meath.
“I have called on the Minister to assist staff in each county in clearing the backlogs and speeding up waiting times for those in urgent need of their test,” she concluded.