Breakthrough 'imminent' in driving tests dispute

A breakthrough is reportedly imminent in the dispute over the Government's plans to use "outsourcing" to reduce the driving-tests backlog.

The Government wants to hire private testers to conduct 40,000 driving tests as part of moves to clear the 140,000-strong backlog and reduce waiting times.

IMPACT, the trade union representing the existing testers, has opposed the proposals that the Government put forward in relation to the matter.

The Civil Service Arbitration Board ruled that the outsourcing could not take place without the agreement of trade unions or it would be a breach of the Sustaining Progress deal.

Reports this morning say a breakthrough in the stand-off is now imminent and a deal to pave the way for the outsourcing is expected to be finalised at talks this week between IMPACT, the Department of Transport and a third-party mediator.