Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The waiting times and the fact that the contract operated by Applus+ is not being fulfilled are unacceptable. It is below the level of service one would expect. It is important that there be robust oversight from the RSA, which is why we have weekly meetings with it about the NCT and ensuring proper accountability by Applus+. This is why a system of penalties is being imposed. Those penalties are being disputed by Applus+ and could well go to arbitration, but I have been clear that I want to see penalties imposed for what I view as a contract breach. It is unacceptable.

Our focus has been on ensuring that Applus+ is held to account and scales up its recruitment. We expect the NCT service to hit more than 40,000 tests per week when the additional 50 plus testers are recruited from outside the EU by the end of April. By June, we should be back to the average waiting time. Recent months have not been acceptable, though, and I acknowledge the committee's concerns.

Some 2,222 free tests have been given, which Deputy O'Connor played an important role in highlighting as a member of the committee. We are trying to accelerate the recruitment process and to hold Applus+ to account. When a State service is contracted to anyone in the private sector, the contract needs to be fulfilled properly. Where that does not happen, penalties should be imposed. That is our focus. I have not read the contract, but it has existed for a number of years. Our focus in on ensuring Applus+ meets the service level agreement and that penalties are imposed due to the contract breach of recent months.