Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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277. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that drivers who fail to display their national car test disc, but who are awaiting a NCT appointment due to a backlog, are not issued penalty points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38707/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, 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.  The RSA has overall responsibility for the operation, oversight, development, quality assurance and delivery of vehicle testing arrangements.  

While demands for NCTs are heavy in the early part of the year, there is no reason why anybody requesting a test at other times of the year should not receive a booking on time.  An NCT may be undertaken up to 90 days in advance of the test due date without affecting the expiry date of the new certificate. This advanced booking is to ensure that owners have sufficient time to have their vehicle tested before their current NCT certificate expires. A public awareness campaign is currently underway to ensure that the public is aware that using a vehicle without a valid NCT is becoming a fixed charge offence with effect from early December and advising them to book early.

NCTS is in a favourable position to deal with the demand.  Plans are currently in place to extend testing facilities at Mullingar, Blarney and Portlaoise and longer opening hours, in the form of a third shift, are planned for four NCT Centres in Galway, Killarney, Enniscorthy and Ballina. NCTS has been testing record numbers of vehicles this year with the numbers tested each month being approximately 11-12% higher than in the corresponding months in 2013.  

Enforcement is a matter for An Gardaí Síochana.  While An Gardaí Síochana have previously advised motorists awaiting a NCT test to carry proof of their test appointment with them at all times, the responsibility rests with the driver and vehicle owner to ensure that a vehicle being driven in a public place has a valid NCT certificate and that the disc is displayed.