Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has confirmed that a major NCT certificate bugbear ‘is being looked at’ amid the massive backlog in appointments.
Many motorists have been faced with waiting times of six months or more, with some centres even offering dates in August as their earliest availability.
Darragh O’Brien TD addressed the “big problem” and said that the backlog was not acceptable.
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The Minister said that his colleague, Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers, and other members of the Government were looking into solutions. The “current plan” and what he was “being told very clearly” was that the system would be back to its 12-day turnaround by May of this year.
When motorists do get to a centre and pass their test, the certificate commences for 12 months from the month their NCT expired rather than the date of the test itself. This means that within a short few months, the certificate will have expired once again as a result of the long waiting times.
Minister O’Brien described it as a “reasonable suggestion” to change the date so that the new NCT cert commences from the date of the passed test. He confirmed that it was one that had been made to him, and Minister Chambers alike, who was looking into it.
That being said, the most prominent issue at the moment in relation to the NCT was the backlog in appointments.
The Minister for Housing told Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk’s The Hard Shoulder: “What we’re focused on is getting back to normal, reasonable turnaround times by May this year and do everything we can.
“The point you’ve made in relation to the certification date is a very valid one and I know that is being looked at too.”
In relation to the huge surge in those needing appointments, Minister O’Brien said that one of the reasons for this was people not cancelling their appointment within a reasonable time.
“[The backlog] does have its roots in Covid as well, where we had the problem with, obviously, people not being able to go down to NCT centres. I think people understand that,” he said.
“The other thing, as well, is in relation to how appointments are cancelled. Some appointments are cancelled on late notice. It hasn’t helped either. We’ve got to look at that element too and how we can improve it.”
Applus+, who run the NCT service, told the Irish Mirror: "Every effort is being made to manage the demand at this busy time, including the recruitment of additional vehicle inspectors and the provision of overtime to provide cover for leave and additional shifts for staff."
They said they are also exploring other avenues to help manage this demand, which they hope to launch in early 2023.
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