Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
214. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are six-to-eight week delays in getting an appointment for a car to be assessed for VRT in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44803/20]
View answer215. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to granting an extension to current VRT rates until the middle or end of January 2021 until the backlog is cleared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44804/20]
View answer216. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if consideration will be given to identifying an alternative centre in County Cork to deal with the assessment of vehicles for VRT due to the current backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44805/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 to 216, inclusive, together.
I am advised by Revenue that because of the interruptions to the operation of National Car Testing (NCT) centres and the continuing need to limit the number of customers attending the centres due to COVID 19 restrictions, there are delays in getting pre-registration inspection appointments. Revenue is aware that some people that sought appointments earlier in December have been unable to get them before the end of December and are concerned about the implications for the VRT that will apply.
In relation to VRT, while the rates changed on 1 January it is not necessarily the case that the amount of VRT charged on registration in January will be higher than if the vehicle was registered in December. Where a delay in registration beyond the normal waiting times for a pre-registration appointment results in a higher VRT liability in January, Revenue is prepared to allow the lower charge to apply. NCT centres will be advised to contact Revenue in such cases.
Revenue monitors the registration service provided by National Car Testing Service (NCTS) Centres on an ongoing basis. In the context of the safety protocols relating to Covid-19, the capacity of NCTS Centres is restricted and there is less opportunity to increase their level of service than would otherwise be possible. This has resulted in delays in a number of Centres including the two Cork Centres. Working hours have been extended in these Centres to address the backlog. At present customers can expect to wait between 6 and 20 working days for a pre-registration appointment; the 20 day wait occurs in two NCTS centres.
The service provider has also increased its pre-inspection service for cars held by authorised motor dealers – details are at the following links: https://www.revenue.ie/en/importing-vehicles-duty-free-allowances/guide-to-vrt/authorised-dealers-and-processes/pre-inspection-by-national-car-testing-service-ncts.aspx and https://www.ncts.ie/1155. The registration service offered to authorised dealers on the Revenue Online Service (ROS) for new cars and cars that have been pre-inspected has remained unchanged since the original restrictions in March and such vehicles may be registered in the normal way before delivery to a customer.
Overall, Revenue is satisfied that the service being provided at present is reasonable in the context of the safety protocols that are necessary in NCTS Centres.
