Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have exact figures but I know that a number of cars will need an NCT come January. There will be no immediate rectification of the NCT waiting list. My Department is meeting on a weekly basis with the RSA in that regard. It is hiring people from Spain to conduct NCTs. It has hired domestically. It is also hiring in the Philippines. In conjunction with the office of the Minister of State, Deputy English, we are looking at work permits to allow them to start work as quickly possible. We are enabling testers to do eight tests per day, as opposed to seven, if they engage in overtime. Considerable pressure is being put on the RSA around the NCT. I want to be clear that I am not happy with these backlogs. I have been clear with the RSA that it needs to step up and do whatever is required. If a different Government Department can help with work permits or whatever else is required, we will step in and do that. The RSA has a statutory responsibility to ensure that people are being served.