Latest news with #Applus
Irish Independent
30-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
‘Some residents will still be asleep at 7.30am' – TD Paul Murphy objects to extension of NCT centre's opening hours
Applus Inspection Service Ltd applied for planning permission to increase the opening hours for its centre on Greenhills Road in Tallaght, west Dublin, from 66 hours a week, to 81 hours. The revised times would allow the centre begin work at 7.30am Monday to Friday, and finish at between 11pm and 11.30pm three days a week. Mr Murphy, who represents the Dublin South-West constituency, raised concerns on behalf of 17 residents in an estate behind the centre. 'This has been an ongoing issue over many years because the back of the Applus building is literally 50 metres from the back of residents' homes and there is significant noise pollution during the operating hours,' he claimed. 'The proposed new opening hours represent a very big increase in hours open, in particular at unsocial times, and would be very disturbing to residents. 'While the centre currently has the right to open from 8am Monday to Saturday, the new proposal is that from Monday to Friday, it will open from 7.30am when some of our residents will still be asleep. 'The noise is loudest and most disturbing in the upstairs rooms, which is where the bedrooms are located. If these late night hours are granted, it will significantly impact the ability of residents to relax in the evenings in their own homes as well as sleep'. Under its current permitted hours, the centre opens at 8am Monday to Saturday. It closes at 6pm three days a week, and 8pm three days a week. The new proposal would let the centre open until 5.30pm on Monday, 11.30pm on Tuesday, 11pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 9pm on Friday and 7.30pm on Saturday. Despite the objection, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) granted permission, but with certain conditions. ADVERTISEMENT It said the maximum operating hours would be from 7.30am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 7.30pm on Saturday. If the increased opening hours are granted, it will significantly interfere with normal sleep Following the granting of permission, Mr Murphy has now submitted a third-party appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, formerly An Bord Pleanála. In his appeal to the planning authority, he claimed the centre is 'around 15 metres' from residents' homes. 'If the increased opening hours are granted, it will significantly interfere with normal sleep and rest patterns and when residents could reasonably expect a level of quietness,' he said. He also complained of 'substantial' noise pollution including cars revving, horns beeping, music playing and 'people shouting loudly at each other'. A decision is expected by November 11. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the NCT system experienced a significant backlog. Centres were also hit by weather-enforced closures in January during Storm Éowyn. Data released by the Department of Transport in May said the national average wait time for an NCT is up to 17 days higher than the target. The Irish Independent contacted Mr Murphy and Applus for comment.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
NCT target wait times are not being met, with ‘seasonal demand' now an issue in delays
Although much lower than the delays being experienced by people waiting for driving tests, the NCT target waiting time for an appointment is a maximum of 12 days. A Department of Transport spokesperson said the average wait time is 17, and above the target. However, a spokesperson for NCT contractor Applus said that the average wait is 15 days to the first available slot and 17 days to the second available slot. The department spokesperson said a rise in waiting times since last year is due to a number of issues, including a 40pc increase in 'seasonal demand'. Neither the department nor ministers have a direct role in managing the NCT contract between the RSA and Applus, the NCT contractor The spokesperson said there were a number of rescheduled tests due to poor weather conditions and red warnings for road users. 'It should be noted that so far this year has seen the NCT test the highest number of vehicles in a single week of 56,919,' the spokesperson said. She said the Road Safety Authority has statutory responsibility for the operation and delivery of the National Car Test service. 'Neither the department nor ministers have a direct role in managing the NCT contract between the RSA and Applus, the NCT contractor,' she added. The spokesperson said the NCT service level agreement was drafted between the Road Safety Authority and Applus, and sets the target average wait time for customers of a maximum of 12 days. They added that this target was achieved last year. A spokesperson for Applus said the average wait time for an NCT nationwide is 15 days. She said the waiting list for appointments for the NCT was eliminated at the end of last year and 'we returned to compliance with waiting-time targets'. This year, she said it is just exiting the busiest period for the National Car Testing Service as vehicles are due on the anniversary of their registration and vehicles tend to be bought early in the year, which puts pressure on the NCTS. The spokesperson said weather-enforced closures in January didn't help matters, but she added: 'Customers are being offered appointments within two to three weeks of contacting us.' She said a survey of more than 7,000 customers so far this year shows that almost 89pc are satisfied with the length of time they had to wait for an appointment, while overall satisfaction levels for the NCTS are well above 90pc.
