Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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64. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason that the current average wait time for an NCT booking in the Dublin centres is six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46613/22]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

This is a serious matter and I am very aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet demand and the delays which vehicle owners have encountered since the start of this year. My department has supported any appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance in improving matters that have been received to date. I recently met with the Authority to emphasise the importance of reducing the current test backlog as soon as possible and it has committed to provide me with weekly updates on the NCTS. Further, my officials are meeting weekly with the Authority's senior management to monitor their progress in reducing test delays, in addition to normal corporate governance processes.

I am advised that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly, by calling 01-4135992, or may avail of the priority waiting list function via the NCT website, www.ncts.ie. I understand that, in the majority of cases, these vehicle owners are provided with an appointment within 30 days.