Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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93. To ask the Minister for Finance the engagement he has had with the motor insurance industry in relation to motor insurance policies and their validity, given the delays in securing NCT appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3139/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, it is important to note that neither the Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive).

As the Deputy will appreciate, policy matters in relation to the National Car Test (NCT) lie with the Minister for Transport. however, I am aware of reported delays in securing NCT appointments, and my officials have engaged with Insurance Ireland, the representative body for insurers, in relation to the provision of motor insurance in this regard.

Insurance Ireland has advised that its members will be pragmatic in their approach to the current delays at the National Car Testing Service (NCTS). Cover will continue to be provided where customers, through no fault of their own, are unable to obtain their NCT due to backlogs at test centres. Motor insurance and road traffic legislation require that motorists maintain their vehicles in a roadworthy condition at all times and this remains the case. Under the current circumstances, provided motorists make every effort to book appointments in the normal way, insurance companies will recognise that the current issue is not the fault of the customer. Motorists should keep evidence of their appointment booking.

More generally, it should be noted that the NCT is a minimum requirement of roadworthiness and is therefore not the only rating factor taken into account in the provision of motor insurance. Insurers will generally require that a car has a valid NCT in order to be covered. However, in making their individual decisions on whether to offer cover and what terms to apply, they will also use a combination of other rating factors, including the age of the driver, the type and age of car, the claims record and driving experience of the driver, the number of drivers, how the car is used, etc. My understanding is that insurers do not all use the same combination of rating factors, and as a result prices and availability of cover varies across the market.

Finally, Insurance Ireland operates an Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. This can be accessed at: feedback@insuranceireland.eu. Likewise, Brokers Ireland provides assistance to customers who are experiencing insurance accessibility issues and can be contacted at insurancequeries@brokersireland.ie.