Results 1-20 of 98 for competitive speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Health: Healthcare Policy (20 Mar 2024)

Hildegarde Naughton: In 2022 and 2023, funding was provided to support a total of 106 GAA Clubs, following a competitive process, to upgrade existing walking tracks helping to promote physical activity at club level. One of the key elements of the project is to encourage clubs to make their facilities available to non-playing members. The provision of walking tracks is particularly important in rural areas where...

Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Nov 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...outlined in the Bill take account of the ongoing sustainability of the private health insurance market, the aim of avoiding overcompensation being made to insurers and the aim of having fair and open competition in the market, as required under the EU framework for state aid. I will now outline the specific sections of the Bill. Section 1 defines the principal Act as the Health...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Second Stage (Resumed) (24 Oct 2023)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...do not find themselves paying income tax for the first time or more income tax solely because of wage growth. We must also preserve a broad and stable income tax base to ensure our personal taxation system is competitive and resilient. This is in line with the programme for Government commitment regarding indexation of credits and bands, with 220,000 people taken out of the top rate...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...€82.515 million. As stated, passenger numbers have steadily recovered on most networks. However, the introduction of the discount, the 90-minute fare and the move of passenger traffic from cash fares to more competitive Leap card fares, mean that fare recovery patterns post-Covid are taking a different shape to pre-Covid patterns. In addition, €8 million will be allocated...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...raising the number of permanent driver testers employed by it from 100 to 130. The Department approved that in June 2022, subject to the condition that the new testers would be recruited by open competition. The criterion on open competition is EU law. The recruitment process was conducted and offers were made to 30 people. We understand that most of them had been employed as temporary...

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: After considering the RSA's request, the Department gave its approval in June 2022, subject to the condition that the new testers were to be recruited as part of an open competition. Under EU law, they had to be recruited through an open competition.

Select Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport: Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 31 - Transport (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will double-check whether the RSA came back to the Department in respect of the 30 testers following that open competition and revert to the committee on the issue. I acknowledge members' concerns. I am not here to defend the RSA in any shape or form. There are high-level meetings in which the Department and I put pressure on the RSA to ensure it can reduce the backlog. I commit to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Renewable Energy Generation (15 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The current Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) transport call opened on 13 September 2022 with the closing date for applications on 18 January 2023. This is a competitive process and, in line with guidance from the European Commission, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual companies' applications.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...for the inclusion of funding for port infrastructure required for ORE under the CEF. Ports are again engaging and applying for that funding and the Department is working with them. This is a competitive process and it is generally oversubscribed but the Department assists the eligible applicants with this application process.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...costs for studies and 30% of infrastructure work costs. While Irish port projects were unsuccessful in 2021 in the CEF call, ports are preparing new applications for the 2022 CEF call. It is a competitive process and the Department is assisting those eligible applicants where appropriate. A lot of work is happening between the ports and industry, which is crucial. The funding must go...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation (10 Nov 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...also on similar routes operating on a commercial basis from other regional airports, needs careful consideration. It is imperative that any Government intervention in this market does not distort competition. These matters, along with relevant State aid rules, are currently being considered by my Department.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...essence, the IAA has a statutory responsibility to advise on these matters. Prior to the publication of this Bill, in addition to the IAA and CAR being consulted, the Department engaged with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, Cork Airport, Aer Lingus, Ryanair, Airports Council International, Chambers Ireland, the Irish Congress of Trade...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...ports policy framework. National Ports Policy provides the overarching policy framework for the governance and future development of Ireland’s state port network. The responsiveness and competitiveness of Ireland's maritime transport industry are underpinned by National Ports Policy 2013. It has helped foster competition between ports and ensure minimal barriers to entry for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (12 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...Trans European Network for Transport (TEN-T). This is significant as successful applicants can obtain grant funding of up to 50% of eligible costs for studies and up 30% of infrastructure works costs. This is a competitive process and generally oversubscribed. While the outcome of the 2021 CEF call was disappointing, the 2022 CEF call is now underway. It is expected that ports,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Accidents (5 Oct 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...valuable work in the area in the interim. My Department will work closely with the Board of the MCIB to ensure a smooth transition to a full time investigation structure. An open recruitment competition for the role of the Chief Investigator and the permanent investigators will be conducted by the Public Appointment Service, who are the centralised provider of recruitment services...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Sep 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: In September 2020, following an open competition, Mr. Diarmuid Ó Conghaile was appointed aviation regulator and CEO designate of the IAA on a fixed-term contract of seven years. In August of this year, Mr. Ó Conghaile announced his intention to resign his position. He will cease employment with the IAA on 31 October this year. The IAA is in the process of running a recruitment...

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Sep 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: ...like to thank him for the work that he has put into this so far. Senators can be assured that my absolute priority is to get a very capable replacement for him, which is why we are running an open competition. We want somebody who can bring the IAA through this transition and onto a new phase, in line with best practice across the EU.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (21 Sep 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I have already replied to the expertise issue. It is important to get the message out there that it is open to anyone to apply for this position. It is an open competition. They will be running a recruitment campaign for a replacement CEO. There will be two processes, one through the Public Appointments Service and there will also be an executive search company in place to support the...