Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Transport the process involved concerning the renewal of the contract for the national car testing franchise; if he has given consideration for changes in the existing testing structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27117/04]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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National Car Testing Service Limited holds a ten year contract until the end of 2009 to carry out testing on behalf of the State. The arrangements for car testing after 2009 have not yet been determined in any detail.

The contract provides for independent monitoring of NCTS by a supervisions services contractor, SSC, which involves financial legal and engineering experts drawn from PWC and the AA. The contract also provides for a mid-term review to be carried out by the Minister after the mid point of the contract which will occur in January 2005. It is envisaged that the review will be carried out in conjunction with the SSC and will review the performance of NCTS and address a range of strategic issues including the content of the test, the quality of service provided and the location and number of test centres.