Vol. 509 No. 6
398 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether the new motor testing fee of £35 will be a considerable burden for old age pensioners who are more likely to have older cars and who need these for transport; and if he will include this in the free schemes available to the elderly. [21756/99]
401 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the threshold levels on respective features of a motor car which must be passed in order to be deemed roadworthy in the proposed scheme. [21040/99]
402 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the date from which cars must be passed fit under the national car test scheme; the estimated number of cars per month in Dublin and in Dublin 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 17 which will have to be tested; the number of test facilities available in Dublin and on Dublin's northside to undertake the test; and the proposed charge which will be made. [21041/99]
419 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will give details of all fees charged for the MOT test of older cars; if a second test involving an additional fee is required if a fault is discovered; if he will exempt old age pensioners from these fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21399/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 398, 401, 402 and 419 together.
Roadworthiness testing of private cars will be commenced by the National Car Testing Service Limited on 4 January 2000 at 43 designated test centres countrywide. The new requirement will apply to cars older than four years every two years, but only cars registered before 1 January 1992 will be tested in 2000. Four of the test centres will be located in Dublin with two on Dublin's northside.
The fee for the test will be £35 with a retest costing £19.80, both inclusive of VAT. Retests which do not require the use of a test lane will be free of charge. The national car test, NCT, has been established on a public-private partnership and self-financing basis. Within this framework, it is envisaged that all users of the NCT should pay for their biennial tests as part of the general costs of private motoring.
The test procedure and standards are documented in the national car test manual 1999 which has been published by the Government Publications sales office and is available in the Oireachtas Library. Draft regulations are currently being finalised in my Department which will specify in detail the requirements to be met for the issue of a test certificate. Major requirements will be those bearing on vehicle safety in a primary way.
It is estimated that some 500,000 vehicles may be required each year to submit to the biennial test. NCTS is required under its contract to provide a quality service to car owners concerned throughout the country, and detailed arrangements and estimates in this regard are a matter for the company.
