Dáil debates

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate

National Car Test

11:25 pm

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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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.

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The operation of roadworthiness testing, including the National Car Test Service, NCTS, is the statutory responsibility of the RSA. Applus+ Inspection Services Ireland Limited administers the test on behalf of the RSA. All operational issues, including the appointment of personnel are matters for Applus+ and the RSA, and it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister of State, to comment on specific operational matters.

The NCTS has been experiencing extraordinary pressure, due in part to a national and EU-wide labour shortage of qualified mechanics. To mitigate the risks associated with the testing backlog, work is under way to increase test centre capacity and to reduce the average appointment waiting time. A priority waiting list is in place for motorists to avail of cancellations, the contractor is providing 20 vehicle inspectors from its Spanish operation and the RSA has approved a pilot for additional inspection staff in automated elements of the test. These measures are in addition to the 53 new staff employed by the NCTS earlier in the year, and a significant increase in staff overtime, allowing eight tests per tester per day instead of seven.

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy English, with my Department's assistance, has allowed for the recruitment of up to 100 non-EU testers. Some 44 additional testers have commenced training with NCTS and will be conducting testing before the end of the year. In relation to qualifications, I can confirm that the temporary vehicle inspectors from Spain are qualified to QQI level 5, which is the standard in many EU member states and in the UK. Until 2020, QQI level 5 certification was the minimum requirement for vehicle inspectors in the State.

Testers in Ireland are currently required to hold QQI level 6 qualifications but the RSA has confirmed that local applicants with QQI level 5 qualifications will be considered for a temporary period and that on-the-job training will be provided to bring testers to QQI level 6 standard. Additionally, I understand that Applus+ sought RSA approval to trial the use of inspection support personnel to assist the existing complement of vehicle inspectors with certain basic and highly automated test elements in stages 1 and 2 of the testing process. Vehicle inspectors will still decide whether a vehicle should pass or fail a test.

I reassure the Deputy that the appointment of these additional resources will not result in the loss of any existing jobs. The new employees will supplement the existing staff to increase testing capacity. The objective is to increase the overall number of testing staff to meet the high demand. The RSA has assured my Department that the high testing standard we expect from the National Car Testing Service, NCTS, will not be compromised in any way as it works to increase testing capacity.

11:35 pm

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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I will pick up on two points in my supplementary statement. The Minister of State said "The RSA has assured my Department that the high testing standard we expect from the National Car Testing Service, NCTS, will not be compromised in any way as it works to increase testing capacity." To ask the straight question, how has that been assessed? The RSA provided the assurance. I await a response from it and I expect it will give me the same assurance but, for me, that raises a further question; how has it been assessed that the standards will be maintained? We do not yet know what the pilot use of inspection support personnel in those five Dublin test centres will look like, if it proceeds. I understand people who have a junior certificate and an interest in cars or vehicles are being invited to apply. The Department has been assured but how has the RSA or Applus+ assessed this?

I have another question, which is related to the first. Is this legitimate? Is this change in practice lawful? The test is to be broken down into different stages and inspection support personnel are to be given responsibility for one of these parts, although a tester must ultimately sign off on the test. In the regulations, it is very clear what a tester is and what his or her responsibilities are. Is this new testing process lawful? Does it comply with SI 415 of 2017, the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017?

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I reassure the Deputy that I have met with the RSA and conveyed the seriousness of the NCT backlog. My officials are meeting with the RSA weekly to monitor progress in reducing test delays and supporting any appropriate requests for assistance from it. I also assure the Deputy that the use of inspection support personnel will not result in any job losses in the NCTS. The RSA has my full confidence. The high testing standard we expect from the NCTS will not be compromised. As always, the safety of our road users remains a priority for me and my Department.

Cuireadh an Dáil ar athló ar 10.44 p.m. go dtí 9.12 a.m., Dé Céadaoin, an 30 Samhain 2022.

The Dáil adjourned at at 10.44 p.m. until 9.12 a.m. on Wednesday, 30 November 2022.