Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the contract with the service provider of the national car test service contains any performance-related or penalty clauses for lengthy delays such as those being experienced at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8450/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and it is the Authority which holds the contract with the NCT service provider, Applus. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query 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.

Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average waiting times for an NCT inspection in each centre in the country; the reason for the long delay in securing an appointment in Galway; the reason for the disparity in waiting times between centres; his plans to ensure that testing is carried out within a reasonable period of time following an application being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8637/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The operation of the National Car Testing Service 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 would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

However, I am aware of the challenges that the RSA and the NCTS are currently facing to meet high demand for tests and the delays which vehicle owners are encountering. My officials continue to meet weekly with the Authority to monitor ongoing progress in reducing test delays and to ensure all possible actions are being taken to bring the waitlist to an acceptable level in 2023, as well as supporting all appropriate requests from the RSA for assistance. I have also met recently with the RSA Chief Executive and Chair to discuss this and other matters.

There has been some progress in addressing the long-term staffing issues behind this backlog. 110 inspectors were recruited in 2022 (including 44 recruited from outside the EEA). Recruitment of qualified vehicle inspectors is ongoing and 13 new personnel are in training as of 12 February, bringing the cohort of testers to 608. A number of other measures to provide additional capacity at test centres are also in place, including increased staff overtime and the temporary transfer of 20 testers from the NCTS contractor’s Spanish operation for a period of 3 months. Eight of these testers are continuing for a further period. Testers are assigned to the test centres with the most significant delays.

In the interim, I am advised that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly, by calling 01-4135992 or by availing 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.