Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of cars that were re-registered here in 2009 and to date in 2010; the number of cars on waiting lists for re-registration; to provide this information on a test centre-by-test centre basis in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38677/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that 45,055 used vehicles were registered in the State in 2009. In so far as 2010 is concerned, up to 30 September 2010, a total of 30,115 used vehicles had been registered in the State. The requirement to have all used vehicles presented for pre-registration examination has presented some new challenges for both Revenue and the NCTS. In consultation with other stakeholders, e.g. the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), the Farm Tractor & Machinery Trade Association Ltd (FTMTA), Revenue and the NCTS are facing these challenges and have implemented some revised procedures to speed up the registration process. For example, the NCTS have recently put procedures in place to provide additional capacity in their centres, including extending the opening times in some centres. Moreover, the NCTS are at an advanced stage in the configuration of two additional centres for registration purposes, one in Carrick on Shannon and one in Donegal Town, in order to address current delays in the northwest of the country. It is now expected that these two centres will commence operation in the week commencing 22 November. Revenue are also examining the possibility of providing electronic facilities for the registration of used vehicles that have been subjected to a pre-registration examination.

Figures provided by the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) to the Commissioners show that 4 centres have people waiting to receive a pre-registration examination appointment. These, together with the number of applicants, are shown in tabular format below.

Additionally, at lunchtime on Friday 23 October, the waiting time for appointments for the pre-registration examination of vehicles in each of the National Car Test centres were as follows: