A Government plan to outsource 40,000 driving tests to reduce the backlog is expected to get the go-ahead next week.
Unions and the Department of Transport were yesterday considering proposals which would allow the outsourcing of tests as a one-off measure.
The proposals were issued by Labour Relations Commission (LRC) chief executive Kieran Mulvey, following talks that concluded on Wednesday night.
The backlog in driving test applications currently stands at 140,000, and the waiting time is up to a year at some centres.
The unions representing staff involved, Impact and the CPSU, had objected to outsourcing on the basis that driver-testing was core Civil Service work.
Their argument was upheld by the Civil Service Arbitration Board, which found that, under the terms of Sustaining Progress, driver-testing could not be outsourced without agreement.
However, at a meeting in Athlone last month, driver-testers in Impact agreed to consider new proposals to resolve the dispute.
Agreement was not reached in subsequent talks at the LRC, but Mr Mulvey said yesterday both sides had agreed to give "positive consideration" to his proposals.
He has recommended the plan to outsource 40,000 tests to a private contractor, SGS Ltd, should proceed "as early as it is feasible", with contract negotiations to be completed by July 1st.
Unions are asked to agree to this "single arrangement" on the basis that it is solely for the purpose of achieving 40,000 tests over 18 months and to assist in eliminating the current backlog.
The number of outsourced tests could be extended by a further 5,000 if "deemed necessary" by the Department of Transport.
It is proposed measures already agreed, such as a bonus scheme for testers who carry out extra tests, will remain during the outsourcing contract.
Mr Mulvey has also recommended a liaison team be established to ensure the objectives of the outsourcing contract are met and uniform standards are maintained.
The unions had expressed concern that the use of a private contractor could result in two standards of driving test, one operated by the public sector and the other by a private company.
They also said their co-operation with any new system would be on the "clear understanding" there would be no enforced change to testers' existing terms and conditions and that a full complement of departmental staff would be maintained.
The department told Mr Mulvey there were "serious road safety issues" arising from the increasing backlog in tests.
Mr Mulvey's proposals require the department to commit to the training and development of staff, including those delivering the driver-testing service.
Progress in eliminating the backlog should be reviewed in early 2007, Mr Mulvey said.
He has also recommended that negotiations should conclude as early as possible on the terms and conditions for staff transferring to the new Road Safety Authority.
