Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the extraordinary delay for drivers seeking to book a national car test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59962/22]

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 Deputy's query to the Authority for direct reply.

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. I have met with the RSA to convey the seriousness of this matter and my officials are meeting weekly with the RSA to monitor progress in reducing test delays, as well as supporting any appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance.

Progress is being made in addressing the long-term staffing resource issues behind this backlog. The Deputy will be aware that 20 staff from the NCTS's counterpart in Spain have recently been temporarily assigned to Northpoint test centre, which is one of the test centres most affected by delays.

In light of the labour shortages in this sector across the EU, my department has worked with Minister English's department to amend the Employment Permits Regulations and allow up to 100 qualified non-EU personnel to be recruited as needed. 44 new testers are currently being trained and will be assigned to those centres with the longest delays before the end of the year.

These measures are in addition to the 53 new staff employed by the NCTS earlier in the year, a significant increase in staff overtime, allowing 8 tests per tester per day instead of 7, and the forthcoming pilot for additional inspection personnel to assist vehicle inspectors with automated elements of the test. Recruitment is also continuing on an on-going basis.

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. In the majority of cases, these vehicle owners are provided with an appointment within 30 days.