Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update regarding the steps being taken to reduce the backlog for those drivers waiting to obtain a national car test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16495/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has overall responsibility for the operation of the National Car Test.

As I pointed out in my  previous recent reply to Question Nos. 848 and 885 of 15 April last, the RSA inform me that the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is in a good position to deal with current demand. Vehicle Inspectors now number 580, the highest ever in the history of the NCT.  Testing facilities have been extended at Mullingar, Blarney, Portlaoise and Naas.  In addition, longer opening hours, in the form of a third shift, are in place at Galway, Killarney, Enniscorthy and Ballina providing testing from 7am to 11.30pm.  The majority of test centres have late openings on three days per week until 10 pm and 12 centres have extended opening on four days per week.  Since last month, 24 hour testing is available at one test centre in Dublin and Cork. 

I also understand from the RSA that any car owner should receive an NCT appointment within 28 days and that in order to meet this standard, in some cases, the NCTS holds requests on a waiting list until a suitable slot is found. In the majority of cases, customers are given a slot within the required timescale. 

Furthermore, to ensure that owners have ample time to have their vehicle tested before their certificate expires, an NCT may be undertaken up to 90 days in advance of test due date without affecting the expiry date.