October is earliest NCT test date in Portlaoise, TD says

The earliest date available for an NCT test in Portlaoise is October, a Laois Offaly TD has claimed.  

Deputy Carol Nolan said motorists are experiencing waits of seven and eight months for NCT appointments in the county. 

She is now seeking clarification from the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) regarding any performance-related or penalty clauses that may be applied to Applus, the operator company of the National Car Testing Service (NCT).

Dep Nolan said she engaged with Minister Ryan’s office on the matter after being contacted by constituents who are now facing a seven or eight month delays before they can access a NCT test.

Applus, who operate the NCT test on behalf of the Road Safety Authority, have been sharply criticised in the last number of weeks due an estimated national backlog of approximately 375,000 vehicles within its system:

“Only this morning a member of my own staff tried to book an NCT in Tullamore, but he was told that the earliest possible date was late September. When he tried to book a test in Portlaoise the waiting time was even longer with no available test until October,” said Dep Nolan.

“This experience is being replicated by many of my constituents and it is extremely frustrating,” she remarked. 

“I want to be clear however that the problems here do not relate to either the staff in the NCT centres or indeed the administrative staff. My experience and the experience of my staff has been consistently positive in that regard,” said Dep Nolan. 

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“This is a problem caused by an inability of the service provider, Applus, at senior level, to get to grips with the massive backlog that it has allowed to build up. As such I am seeking clarification on what performance related penalties may be applied to it-especially as it is in the business of a providing a vital public service.”

“These kinds of delays are completely unacceptable and urgent action is needed immediately to ensure a more efficient and coordinated service is delivered to drivers,” Dep Nolan concluded.