Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason for the delay in implementing the recommendations arising out of the mid-term review of the national car test; the reason for the delay in establishing a technical standards advisory forum; when both will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9109/06]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Transport the mechanisms in place for the assurance of quality in the national car test contract; the manner in which testing standards are supervised and monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9055/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 106 together.

The report on the outcome of the mid-term review of the national car testing service conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, for my Department was received in the Department at the end of October 2005. My Department is now in discussion with the National Car Testing Service, NCTS, with a view to implementing the recommendations contained in the PwC report as soon as possible. The discussions are being conducted in accordance with the contract change procedures provided for in the project agreement between the Minister for Transport and the NCTS for the operation of the car testing service. While these discussions are ongoing, it would not be appropriate to outline the recommendations contained in the report. However, as soon as the discussions conclude, I will publish the report on my Department's website.

As I have previously indicated in reply to parliamentary questions, it is the intention to establish a technical standards forum to consider and make recommendations in relation to vehicle technical matters associated with the NCT. I will establish such a forum in due course.

As regards quality assurance, there are a number of arrangements in place to ensure that car testing is carried out competently. Under the contract between the Minister and National Car Testing Service Limited, NCTS, the company is required to meet a range of performance standards for the service. These cover premises, test equipment, staff, test arrangements, facilities management, information technology and customer service. The performance standards are designed to ensure test integrity and consistency across the network of test centres. The equipment used to carry out NCT tests was selected on the basis of its capability to accurately and consistently test vehicles in accordance with detailed technical specifications and is regularly serviced and calibrated. Vehicle inspectors are qualified vehicle mechanics who have undergone rigorous and comprehensive initial training before they commenced testing cars and they undergo regular review and developmental training. The entire test process is subject to regular internal scrutiny by the NCTS management. In addition, my Department monitors the performance of the NCTS to ensure that it delivers the service to the required standard.

To assist my Department in monitoring the performance of the NCTS, a supervision services contractor — a consortium involving the Automobile Association and PricewaterhouseCoopers with engineering, financial, legal, IT and operational expertise — has been engaged and is working to an agreed programme for the Department. This programme includes detailed monthly operational audits of the company's performance; quarterly controlled checks to ensure that consistent test results are obtained across the NCTS test centre network; each month reviewing the performance of a sample of vehicle testers as they carry out tests; carrying out spot checks without any advance warning on a representative sample of cars that have just undergone the NCT; carrying out detailed interviews with a representative sample of customers to assess customer satisfaction levels; and an annual review of the company's overall performance. I am satisfied that the combination of these measures ensures that, as far as is possible in a high volume repetitive process, the test results reflect the condition of vehicles at the time of testing.