I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 207 together.
The operation of the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. As Minister, I have no function in respect of operational matters, including the award of contracts for provision of the NCTS or the application of contract mechanisms. I have referred the Deputy's queries on these matters 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.
In response to the Deputy’s query regarding the second-hand market, the sale of private vehicles is a commercial matter and as Minister, I do not have a role. My department has not been made aware of ownership changes being significantly affected by NCT waiting lists. Change of ownership for a vehicle requires no validation of the status of the NCT.
The most recent figures for change of ownership notifications received by my department, for the period requested, are provided in the table below. Also shown are the number of these notifications for second-hand car sales only. The Deputy may wish to note that the figures do not pertain to unique vehicles as some vehicles, particularly those traded with motor dealers, may have more than one ownership change per annum.
Year
|
All changes of ownership
|
Changes of second-hand car ownership
|
2022
|
1,037,374
|
812,311
|
2023 (to 30 April)
|
388,292
|
313,714
|