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

The RSA advises me that it expects the service to return to the 12-day standard by the end of June 2023, although efforts will continue to achieve this earlier if possible. In the meantime, I urge motorists seeking a test when making their bookings to contact the NCTS directly to avail of the priority waiting list.

The Deputy has requested the number of customers qualifying for a free test under the customer charter. The charter provides for a free test where an appointment cannot be offered within 28 days, in certain circumstances. My Department has been informed that 620 free tests have been provided in 2023 to date. The RSA has advised that these numbers are due to the management of the critical waiting list, to ensure those waiting the longest and approaching 28 days on that list are offered a test date.

I share the Deputy's frustration on this. The delays are unacceptable and it is not meeting the threshold of public service provision I expect. I have reflected that to the RSA and that is why we are trying to assist that authority with the recruitment of additional staff. There is a shortage of qualified mechanics in Ireland and Europe and that is why we have had to recruit from outside the EEA. We are putting weekly pressure on trying to increase capacity. It has improved but we have more to do to bridge the gap.

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