Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this matter for Topical Issue debate. I thank the Minister of State with responsibility for transport for taking it. I raised this issue briefly with the Minister of State during Priority Questions a couple of weeks ago. There is a significant backlog with the national car test, NCT, and there is a shortage of mechanics and inspectors. I want to raise the types of changes in work and testing practices that are being proposed and implemented in response.

I have previously raised the issue of the Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, level 6 and level 5 qualifications. Some of the issue relates to internal transfers of staff from Spain and elsewhere to Ireland within the Applus+ group. At Christmastime, there will be the prospect of workers coming in from the Philippines. This is nothing at all to do with where workers are originating from. There is a shortage and there is more than enough work to go round. Rather, this is an issue of standards, qualifications and quality related to that. There is an issue in relation to QQI level 6 and level 5.

The response I have received from the Department on this matter confirmed that the Department was apprised of the proposal by the Road Safety Authority, RSA, that the RSA has responsibility in this regard and that assurances have been received. I want to drill into that with the Minister of State. In addition to that and subsequently, there was a Labour Court recommendation last week for a pilot to run in five Dublin centres for 12 months, as well as for new staff at the grade of inspection support personnel to become involved in the testing process, with responsibility for an initial part or one of the stages of the testing process. There are serious concerns. It has been suggested that a €250 One4All voucher could be given to workers as part of this agreement.

The concern here is on a number of levels. First, this appears to me to be a significant change to the testing process itself; to how the test is conducted in practical terms; to who is conducting what part of the test; to their level of qualification, training and expertise; to who is signing off on the test; and to the level of accountability in relation to that. I want to ask a question about existing practices. Is the Minister of State satisfied that standards are being maintained and will be maintained? I also have a question about the sign-off. Are these new processes lawful and consistent with the regulations that govern these practices? I welcome the Minister of State’s response.

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