Results 3,281-3,300 of 7,112 for speaker:Darren O'Rourke
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: I am going to fire a number of questions at our guests, if that is okay. Mr. Synnott said that 375,000 vehicles are overdue for their NCT. He has accounted for 246,000 of those. What is the situation in respect of the other 130,000? Of the 375,000, has Mr. Synnott a breakdown of how overdue they are? Are they three or six months overdue? Are they more than a year overdue? Does Mr....
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: I thank Mr. Synnott. The information I have requested would be helpful-----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: -----to give us an idea of the scale of the issue. I am trying to make sense of the figures Mr. Synnott has given the committee. I think he said that 1.53 million vehicles were due a test last year.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: Some 1.4 million tests were conducted.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: That suggests a shortfall in the region of 130,000.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: That is roll-over demand. The 130,000 will roll into this year -----
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: We expect they will need attention unless those vehicles are off the road permanently. What number of vehicles are due a test in 2023?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: Okay. Mr. Synnott said his organisation now has the highest number of testers it has ever had, and the highest number of completed tests. Applus also has the highest demand it has ever had, however. It is all relative. That is where we need to get to. Does Mr. Synnott have the staff and tests to meet the demand? He does not at the minute. I am looking at the recruitment figures supplied...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: Is that on top of 14 that Applus has?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: Are they included in the 610?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: Is Applus recruiting in Ireland or internationally?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: Yes, Mr. Synnott has mentioned housing. I understand. If I can move on to another point, both Applus and the RSA have made the point about cancellations and no-shows. Is Applus still paid for those cancellations and no-shows? On the backup with the motor trade, of the 3,000 to 6,000 a year, how many appointments are being lost completely?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: The no-shows are essentially a moot point in terms of capacity. Applus is using it efficiently but it is clear the backlog will not be addressed by everybody showing up for their scheduled appointment. Is that right?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: On the approach of having a third of appointments in advance and the vast majority three weeks, similar to what Senator Craughwell and others will say, if I go to the Kells centre it will be August or September but in truth there are lots of appointments in Kells between now and August or September.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: Yes, exactly, and what can Mr. Synnott do to improve that piece?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: There is something Applus can do, based on the many conversations I have had, to improve people's understanding that, if their first engagement with the website gives them a date way into the future, there are other measures they can take that will give them an earlier appointment. I will leave that point with Mr. Synnott. On the ballot by SIPTU members in respect of the new work...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: I understand all of that. My question is whether Applus intends to proceed with the pilot despite the fact that workers have overwhelmingly voted against it.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: To Mr. Waide, I take from the RSA's move in respect of the customer charter that it is putting pressure on Applus and is not satisfied it is performing to the standard that is agreed. Has the RSA begun proceedings against it or issued any sanctions? If so, what are they?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Delays Affecting Car Tests and Driver Tests: Discussion (1 Feb 2023)
Darren O'Rourke: Who adjudicates on that? Is it just Applus and the RSA?