Vol. 526 No. 3
292 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will give an up to date report on the operation of the national car testing system; if his attention has been drawn to any complaints with regard to the operation of the system; and if there will be an independent review or appeal system for any such complaints. [26410/00]
National Car Testing Service Limited, NCTS, commenced operations on 4 January 2000. Test centres are situated so that at least 90% of car owners are within 30 miles of one of the 43 test centres. A total of 267,938 initial tests had been carried out by close of business on 16 November 2000. A total of 128,507 cars passed first time. Overall, 251,495 have passed the test including those who have passed on retest.
NCTS is required to provide and operate a comprehensive complaints procedure as part of its quality customer service obligations. This procedure includes provision for an appeal against the results of a test. A notice drawing attention to the complaints procedure is displayed in each test centre. It is also open to an owner, who is aggrieved by the outcome of a test, to appeal to the District Court. The court may either refuse the appeal or direct a new test. To date, 702 complaints have been made and so far 691 have been resolved.
I am satisfied that these arrangements are appropriately designed to safeguard both the interests of owners and the integrity of the national car test.
