Dáil debates

Thursday, 2 March 2023

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

National Car Test

9:00 am

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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1. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on NCT delays; the number of customers who have been afforded a free test in 2022 and 2023, in line with the recently reintroduced provision of the customer charter; the date on which a company (details supplied) will meet its 12-day waiting time target; the penalties it has faced to date for failing to meet this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10508/23]

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Minister provide an update on the national car test, NCT, delays; the number of customers afforded a free test in 2022 and to date in 2023, in line with the recently reintroduced provision of the customer charter; the date on which the company concerned will meet its 12-day waiting time target; and the penalties it has faced to date for failing to meet this target? Will he make a statement on the matter?

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue, which is continuing to affect people across the State as the National Car Testing Service, NCTS, remains under pressure.

The operation of the NCTS is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority, RSA. My Department has worked closely with the RSA and the NCT contractor, Applus, to support their efforts over the past six months. I am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS face to meet the high demand for tests and the ensuing delays for vehicle owners. My officials continue to meet weekly with the authority to monitor progress in reducing test delays and ensure every possible action is being taken to reinstate an average waiting period of 12 days, as well as supporting all appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance. I have also met recently with the RSA chief executive and chair to discuss this and other matters.

There has been some progress in addressing the long-term staffing issues behind this backlog. A total of 110 inspectors were recruited in 2022, including 44 recruited from outside the EEA. Recruitment of qualified vehicle inspectors is ongoing, with a cohort of 599 testers now in place and a further eight in training. A number of other measures to provide additional capacity at test centres are also in place, including increased staff overtime and the temporary transfer of 20 testers from the Spanish operation of Applus for a period of three months. Eight of these testers are continuing for a further period. New testers are assigned to the test centres with the most significant delays.

Approximately 35,000 tests were conducted each week in February, a significant increase on December 2022, which averaged 25,000 per week. Although these are improvements, as of 18 February the average waiting period is just under 26 days. This reflects the high demand for test appointments expected in the first period of the year, which is traditionally the busiest time.

The service level agreement target is for an average of 12 days. The imposition of penalties on Applus for failure to meet service targets is something the RSA is pursuing. The RSA has confirmed that contract mechanisms have been applied where service levels are not met. This is under dispute with the contractor. I am advised that discussions are ongoing but, unless a resolution is reached, the issue may move to arbitration.

I have further detail on the number of free tests and will come back in my additional minute.

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I am concerned about what we have we heard from Applus and the RSA, and the Minister of State is today just reflecting figures that Applus is giving him. He said 35,000 tests have been done, a significant improvement on December; however, it is no improvement at all on the figures we were given in the committee on 23 January. The figures the Minister have given are 599 staff plus eight; in January we were told there were 610 staff. Where is the increase in staff and in the number of tests being done? The waiting time of just under 26 days is exactly what it was in January. We are not seeing the improvement or the increase in capacity. Most importantly, we are not seeing a reduction in waiting times.

I would appreciate if the Minister of State addressed the issue of free tests as well.

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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My sense is Applus is giving the RSA and the Government the runaround. That is my firm position. This company came before the Oireachtas committee and said the big issue was no-shows and people not turning up. When we questioned them on it, it transpired they are operating at 100% capacity and all those slots are filled. If there are no-shows, in some cases they are getting paid 150%. Applus has a dedicated workforce doing more tests than ever, is operating at greater than 100% capacity and gave those staff €10 for a Christmas bonus. Then they wonder why they cannot recruit.

There is a race to the bottom and an effort to save money and drive down standards. We do not see the same recruitment challenges in DOE centres, for example, where staff are paid an appropriate rate and have appropriate terms and conditions. There is a real need to get strong with Applus and ensure they are held to account. Rather than the idea of arbitration on the never-never in terms of sanctions for this company, the Minister of State needs to act now.

Photo of Jack ChambersJack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the RSA on behalf of the State provides oversight for the specific contract. I say clearly that the failure to deliver the public service according to the wait time is unacceptable. We have been clear with the RSA and, by extension, with Applus on that. That is why contract mechanisms have been triggered and why there is a process around the imposition of penalties, which are disputed. I agree the solution is around capacity and increasing recruitment, which is happening. The Department is providing every support to accelerate recruitment in Ireland, the EU and outside the EU, when it comes to work permits, and to accelerate the numbers.

It is factually correct to say capacity has improved, having gone from 25,000 on average per week up to 35,000. There is peak demand in these two or three months. We have been given a clear assurance that by the end of June it will improve but it is still not acceptable. We have reflected that clearly. They are not fulfilling their contract, as outlined, for a 12-day average waiting period.