The Department if Enterprise, Trade and Employment has allocated an extra 100 employment permits to try to reduce waiting times for National Car Testing (NCT) appointments.

The company operating the service, Appus+, will now be able to recruit additional testers from countries outside the EU or European Economic Area (EEA).

The department said that evidence provided by consultation with the Department of Transport and the NCT operator pointed to “significant ongoing recruitment challenges”.

Consultation

“More testers working in our NCT centres is the best way to reduce the current backlog of appointments, and help ensure that drivers can access appointments in their local NCT centre when they are required,” said Neale Richmond (Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, pictured).

The increase comes into effect from today (30 June).

Employment permits allow firms in some economic sectors to source workers from outside the EU or EEA when they experience skills shortages.

The department recently opened a consultation process on a review of the Critical Skills Occupation List and Ineligible Occupations List for employment permits.