Results 5,441-5,460 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority.  I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.  I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In 2015, the proceeds from the State's disposal of its 25.1% shareholding in Aer Lingus were invested in a new ‘Connectivity Fund’ as a sub-portfolio of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF). The Minister for Finance sought Oireachtas approval for the proceeds to be paid into this fund in accordance with Section 46(2) of the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment)...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Covid-19 has created difficulties for many public services, including the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS), which is provided by the Road Safety Authority.  Closures during the initial lockdown last year led inevitably to backlogs, while restrictions on the services, which are necessary in the interests of public health, have reduced capacity since the services reopened leading...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Departmental Reports (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The draft National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI) will begin its public consultation phase at the end of March 2021 and will run for a period of almost eight and a half weeks, until the end of May. Upon the completion of the public consultation phase, the report will be finalised, with publication of NIFTI expected to take place in Quarter 3 of 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: A further extension to the expiry dates of driving licences has been introduced in response to the continued disruption caused by Covid-19 to driver licensing services in Ireland and across the EU. The extension will apply to different groups of licence holders including those who benefited from extensions in 2020. Further information can be found on the RSA website. The Road Safety...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The current public health emergency has had a profoundly disruptive effect on the driver learning and testing system in this country. I can assure the Deputy that the Department is very aware of the challenges facing the RSA as they work hard to further manage the backlog in the Driver Testing and Theory Testing Service. The driving test service is not currently operating as normal due to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 222, 223 and 238 together. My officials and I have met with representatives of the Irish Postmasters Union (IPU) to discuss matters relating to the post office network in general including the Offline Services Report. An Post  has been proactive in taking steps in recent years to diversify its offering through: - An expansion of financial services...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Postal Codes (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode". Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The current public health emergency has had a profoundly disruptive effect on the driver learning and testing system in this country and my Department is very aware of the frustration experienced by a large cohort of learner drivers. However, I will not be making any changes to the existing legislation in the learning to drive process. By law, before applying for a learner...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: To renew a driving licence, an applicant is required to present photographic ID, evidence of PPSN, evidence of address and evidence of residency entitlement. An applicant can present in person at a National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) office where the required documentation can be examined and a face to face verification can be made. When applying online, the same...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Development Projects (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Over the past ten years, Ireland West Airport has received more than €30m in capital and current (operational) supports from the State.The funding, which was  provided through a Regional Airports Programme, in line with EU rules on State aid, breaks down as follows:  SUPPORTS 2020 €000s  2019 €000s  ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Driving licences issued by Member States of the EU are mutually recognised, and a driving licence issued by another Member State can be exchanged for an Irish licence up to 10 years after the date of expiry of such a licence. As the UK is no longer a member of the EU, a UK driving licence is not recognised for driving in Ireland. Following the departure of the UK from...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Consumer rights for overseas travel are protected under EU law, which of course applies in Ireland.  Air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of airline passengers in instances of flight cancellations.  It provides that where a flight is cancelled then the consumer must receive a refund within seven days.  The EU Package Travel...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed by Government to be an essential service under Covid-19  level 5 restrictions, and as a result the service is closed while these restrictions remain in place.  As a consequence, the service is closed while level 5 restrictions remain in place. Updates around the resumption of tests will be published on www.theorytest.ie as...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fishing Industry (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Following mediation between a number of Government Departments and the International Transport Workers’ Federation on the scheme for employment of non-EEA fishers in parts of the Irish sea-fishing fleet, a settlement agreement was reached in 2019. The Appendix to the agreement contains details of the working arrangements regarding maximum hours and rest breaks for crew covered by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fishing Industry (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department has in place a programme of survey and inspections for fishing vessels which includes both unannounced and announced inspections. In relation to unannounced inspections, these may be carried out following receipt of a complaint or after an incident involving a vessel etc. In 2018, the MSO carried out 12 unannounced fishing vessel inspections. In...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fishing Industry (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Marine Survey Office (MSO) of my Department has in place a programme of survey and inspection for fishing vessels which includes both unannounced and announced inspections. In 2018, the MSO carried out inspections of 145 fishing vessels of >15m length overall. In 2019, 141 such inspections were carried out. In 2020, 67 such inspections were completed. During 2021, 12 such...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Proposed Legislation (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Air Navigation and Transport Bill 2020 was published in November last year and completed Second Stage in the Dáil in February. It is expected to progress to Committee Stage soon - for consideration by the Select Committee on Transport and Communications Networks. The Bill  is a priority piece of reforming legislation, which I hope will move through the  remainder...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Harbour Authorities (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: No State funding has been transferred to the local authorities in relation to the port transfers.  Following the transfers of the five Ports of Regional Significance to local authority control, where a port company transferred under the transfer of shareholding model, the company continues, as before, to fund all activities from its own resources. In the case of a port...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (24 Mar 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: During the current level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may only conduct lessons in circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. My Department is very aware of the difficulty this poses to learners who are unable to avail of instruction because they have not yet completed the 12 lessons required to book a...