Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 582: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he expects the number of cars failing the national car test to grow over the coming years as a result of the increase in the number of older cars on our roads because of the economic downturn; if he will outline the payment structure of the contract between him and the provider of the NCT; if this contract is a fixed price contract or if it allows for the amount paid to the contractor by the State to be reduced to take account of higher levels of test failures and the increased fees which this would generate for the NCT provider; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37579/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006 (Conferral of Functions) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 477 of 2006) the Road Safety Authority has responsibility for the delivery of the National Car Test (NCT). The award of the contract for carrying out the NCT and the criteria applying thereto is a matter for the RSA.

Analysis of test outcomes by age of vehicle indicates that older cars are less likely to pass the NCT. It is also the case that the average age of cars in Ireland has increased since the introduction of the NCT, resulting in slightly lower overall pass rates in recent years. This is a trend that will accelerate later in 2012 as the effect of annual testing of older vehicles impacts the statistics. However, I am informed that this effect, and the associated increase in overall testing volumes, was anticipated when the competition for the National Car Testing Service (2010-2019) was held in 2008. As a result, the impact was reflected in the tendered price for the test and retest at the time of the competition.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 583: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the criminal investigation into alleged criminal practices at several national car test centres as uncovered on a television programme (details supplied) earlier this year; if he is satisfied that the issues which were uncovered in this programme have now been fully addressed; if so, if he is confident that such practices will not recur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37580/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The RSA acted swiftly and proactively to address the issues raised in the programme to which the Deputy refers. Seven staff were suspended immediately, of which three were subsequently dismissed. Further investigations resulted in the dismissal of three additional members of staff. Whilst any process that results in loss of employment is disappointing, it demonstrates that, given evidence of wrongdoing, NCTS will act quickly and decisively. The volume of internal and independent inspections of NCTS has been stepped up in the last few months. This includes an increased number of focused reviews based on risk factors and more targeted test re-inspections.

I am informed that there has been an increased focus on reducing the opportunity for fraud and improving the focus on specific investigations, while ensuring that staff are fully aware of their obligations and of the consequences of a failure to meet those standards. The goal is to reduce further the potential for fraudulent activities or incorrect test results in the future, although it must be recognised that no supervision and inspection process, no-matter how robust, can completely eradicate instances of fraudulent activity where human judgment and discretion is integral to the accepted process. I am assured that the RSA will continue to take every possible action to tackle these issues.

The related criminal investigation is ongoing and is a matter for An Garda Síochána.