Results 4,921-4,940 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (14 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Legal Aid Board is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions under Section 3(3) of the Legal Aid Act 1995. In accordance with circular 25/2016, agencies under the aegis of Government Departments have a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Legal Aid Board's dedicated address is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he is aware, the programme for Government sets out several commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations in the Joint Committee on Housing's Safe as Houses? report. In that context, a working group to examine defects in housing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The new work placement experience programme is a key measure in our economic recovery plan and in the Government’s new employment services strategy, Pathways to Work. Launched on Monday, the programme provides tangible evidence of the Government's strong commitment to providing quality work experience and training opportunities for jobseekers, in particular, those whose jobs were...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Schemes (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This strategy aims to get people back to work as the economy and the labour market recover from Covid-19. Pathways to Work 2021-2025 is a strategy that sets out 83 whole-of-government commitments aimed at reducing unemployment to or below pre-pandemic 2019 levels. A key commitment under the strategy is the new work placement experience programme. This active labour market programme...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The programme for Government sets out several commitments in respect of the important policy area of building defects and provides for an examination of defects in housing, having regard to the recommendations in the joint committee's Safe as Houses? report. The plenary working group has been meeting monthly since March 2021. In addition, there have been subgroup meetings. With regard...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, was due to take this question today but due to the change of time for Topical Issues, she cannot do so as she is bringing legislation through the Seanad. She sends her apologies for not being in the Chamber for this debate. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented challenge across our health services and none more so than in our nursing...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The pandemic has been a particularly difficult time for all residents, relatives and staff of our nursing homes. As the House will be aware, the Covid-19 nursing home expert panel established last year provided a comprehensive report and package of recommendations in respect of the ongoing response to Covid-19 and longer-term strategic reform of the care of older persons. Many of the short...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Taisce (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputies for raising this issue. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has no legal function in respect of An Taisce. The Department provides An Taisce with funding for a variety of initiatives, including the National Spring Clean, Irish Business Against Litter, national anti-litter league and green schools programme. All payments made to An Taisce are...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: An Taisce (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: An Taisce is a non-governmental organisation active in the areas of the environment and built heritage in Ireland. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has no statutory function in respect of this organisation. The Department provides An Taisce with funding for a variety of initiatives, including the national spring clean, Irish Business Against Litter, the national...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together. Arrangements for the production and issue of the EU Digital Covid Certificates are being progressed by the Department of Health, the HSE and the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Questions on these matters should be addressed to the relevant Minister.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The driving test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. The information requested is held by the Authority and this question is being referred to it for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Ireland has entered into a licence exchange agreement with the UK so that a UK/NI driving licence can be exchanged for an Irish licence and vice versa. There is an exception to this exchange set out in the agreement. A UK/NI licence category will not be exchanged in Ireland where the licence category originated from a third country whose licences are not accepted for exchange in Ireland. ...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Ireland has entered into a licence exchange agreement with the UK so that a UK/NI driving licence can be exchanged for an Irish licence and vice versa. There is an exception to this exchange agreement. A UK/NI licence category will not be exchanged in Ireland where the licence category originated from a third country whose licences are not accepted for exchange in Ireland. For example, if a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Road safety policy during the pandemic has depended on public health decisions taken by Government, on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team. There is currently no legal impediment to the provision of driving lessons, provided public health guidelines are adhered to. However, the position is that these lesson can resume where the learner in question is willing to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets out the driver licensing legislation with which all Member States must comply. The format of driving licences, categories of vehicles, and the standards to be met in driving tests to qualify for a licence, are all set at EU level. Irish licensing law is in line with EU requirements. Under the EU Directives, a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Ireland received authorisation from the EU to extend driving licences that expire between 1 July and 31 October 2021 for an additional 10 months. This extension was granted under EU Regulation 2021/267 and was applied on 2 July 2021. A copy of the Regulation can be found on the European Union Law website: eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R02 67&qid=1625569643896...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (15 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The information sought is not readily available, it will need to be collated and verified by officials within the Irish Prison Service. When this data is to hand I will contact the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (27 Jul 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Question Nos. 76, 100 and 156 together. An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. It has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including those in relation to the size, distribution and future of the network are operational matters for the Board and...