A second NCT centre is to be opened in Co Clare by the end of this year.
Shannon is to become the location of Clare’s second NCT centre, motorists of the county will now have the choice of getting their vehicle tested either there or in Ennis.
The centre will be based at the Smithstown Industrial Estate with construction already ongoing. The steel structure is already in place with shuttering work underway in preparation for pouring the main concrete floor.
Confirmation was issued by the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) to Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) in response to a parliamentary question about the provision of additional centres in Clare.
Deputy McNamara stated, “The NCTS decision to open a new NCT centre in Shannon is very welcome news for the large population of south and southeast Clare area. Once the centre is operational by the end of this year, it will inevitably contribute to reduced waiting times for tests at the existing Ennis test centre”.
He added, “The NCTS has confirmed to me that the facility will be operational before the end of the year, pending there is no more Covid restrictions introduced between now and then”.
Potential of opening a further NCT centre in West Clare must be examined, the Scariff TD maintained. “I have requested the NCTS to review the potential for a third centre for County Clare in Kilrush to accommodate thousands of people in the west of the county who face much longer than average journey times to an NCT centre. The NCTS has confirmed to me that the patterns of demand for testing and the need for test facilities in Clare will be kept under constant review by NCTS. I will continue to make representations on the matter”.
