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

I share the Deputy’s frustration on this. There are 31,200 people on the priority waiting list. The conditions that apply, I have been informed by the RSA, are that a free test will be provided where an appointment cannot be offered within 28 days, unless any of the following apply: the test is overdue by more than seven days at the time of contacting the NCT service; an appointment was offered seven days or more prior to the test due date; the customer has made specific requests regarding suitable days, times or dates; the customer has declined or rearranged two or more appointments; the customer has failed to attend an appointment; or the customer had previously accepted or requested an appointment outside the 28-day period.

I encourage everyone with a projected test date far beyond their due date to seek to get on the priority list. We should encourage more people to get on that list. That will put the pressure on Applus to drive the capacity and output that is required and that may result in some on the priority waiting list getting a free test if they go beyond the 28-day period.

It is not an acceptable situation. I have reflected that to the RSA. This service is not being delivered as per the contract. Penalties should be imposed. When we contract a public service to a company and it is not delivering, there have to be consequences. It is not acceptable. The service should be delivered to the proper standard. We have been given assurances that it is due to get back to the level in the service level agreement by May this year. We will monitor that closely. It is totally unsatisfactory.

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