Results 5,521-5,540 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Heritage Sites (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank Deputy Crowe for his question in relation to Shannon Heritage which has been transferred to me for reply from my colleague, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. I can advise the Deputy that Shannon Group, and specifically Shannon Heritage, has received, and continues to be in receipt of Exchequer supports. In compliance with State aid...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I have asked the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) to begin the process of reconstituting the Doolin Coast Guard unit which was stood down from operations and training activities on Nov 1stlast following a number of volunteer resignations. The decision was made following receipt of a report and recommendation from independent mediator, Mr Kieran Mulvey, who concluded that certain relationships within...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I have asked the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) to begin the process of reconstituting the Doolin Coast Guard unit which was stood down from operations and training activities on Nov 1stlast following a number of volunteer resignations. The decision was made following receipt of a report and recommendation from independent mediator, Mr Kieran Mulvey, who found that certain relationships within the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Traffic Management (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Traffic management generally is a matter for the local authorities under the Roads and Road Traffic Act. This does not fall under the remit of my department. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Service Obligation (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to advise the Deputy that regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government. Furthermore, National Policy on Aviation aims to enhance Ireland’s connectivity by ensuring safe, secure and competitive access responsive to the needs of business, tourism and consumers. As the Deputy is aware, a Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service operated between...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The issues regarding the shortage of quality used cars does not fall under the remit of my Department.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The current spike in energy prices arises principally from the global recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. It has implications across the economy. With regard to the impact on transport, the Government will continue to monitor impacts on trade and key supply chains as it has done through the challenges arising from Brexit and the pandemic. Road hauliers are currently supported in the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am okay, thank you. I appreciate that, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. On the pandemic unemployment payment for small public service vehicle, SPSV, drivers, we all acknowledge how that industry has been hit during the pandemic. As many as 70% of them availed of the PUP at the height of the pandemic and, as the Deputy may be aware, the PUP has been reopened for a limited time to support...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: On the Minister, Deputy Ryan's engagement with the taxi industry, he has met representatives on several occasions, including representatives of several taxi unions twice. Last month, the Minister met a representative of the taxi dispatch operators. Other members of Government, including the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, have also met with taxi driver representatives. As I say, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Transport Policy (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding for public transport. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Transport Policy (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I assure the Deputy that my Department is actively engaging with the relevant agencies and Departments to strengthen the public transport offerings throughout the country by providing additional funding for increased public transport services. The Government has committed to using the research into the cost of disability to inform future policy direction, and the national disability...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Transport Policy (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I hear what the Deputy is saying. The NDIS steering group will be key in this area to ensure a whole-of-government approach. The NDIS sets out the overall framework for the equal participation of people with disabilities in society. It aims to improve the lives of people with disabilities and contains precise, measurable actions and timescales for delivery. The Department of Children,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cycling Facilities (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The programme for Government committed that €360 million in cross-Government funding will be spent on walking and cycling per annum over the lifetime of the Government. This investment will help support the delivery of almost 1,000 kilometres of improved walking and cycling infrastructure by 2025, as well as additional investment in greenways. The total expenditure delivered on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cycling Facilities (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The reason for the underspend is that it was the first year and staffing was an issue. I will give the statistics. As per the quarter 3 report from the NTA supplied to my Department, 92 new positions have been filled across local authorities out of a total of about 250 allowed. This includes staff in local authorities outside of the greater Dublin area and regional cities, where, until...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Cycling Facilities (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is important to bear in mind the challenges this year in regard to Covid. The level 5 restrictions had an impact on the roll-out of greenways because those projects were not seen as essential projects during the level 5 restrictions, which meant any non-essential construction could not occur during those months. That has impacted on the roll-out of a number of those projects. All...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am delighted to see the new BusConnects Dublin network being rolled-out. I agree with the Deputy that it is important that people have an opportunity to give feedback and their thoughts on its roll-out. It is great to see improvements happening on the ground with this year’s launch of the H spine and the C spine. Next year will see further phases of the new network rolled out,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will forward the Deputy’s comments to the Minister, Deputy Ryan. The information I have is there are channels and clear information for people to make their complaints and give their comments around existing services. I know the NTA is liaising closely with the transport operators in reviewing the introduction of these new services and it will take appropriate action, where...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Public Transport (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: On the advisory group which will be providing the NTA with the viewpoints to feed back into the policies and programmes, an independent facilitator will be appointed to run its meetings. Some 15 places will be available on that transport users advisory group and that will be made up of representation from various modes of public transport such as cyclists, pedestrians, people with...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In addition to the primary function of our commercial State ports to facilitate maritime transport, the national ports policy 2013 also recognises the role ports can also play in servicing the offshore renewable energy, ORE, sector and the need for further port capacity in this area. The programme for Government has set a target for 70% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Ports Policy (16 Dec 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: A policy statement signalling the multi-port approach was prepared in consultation with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. That was presented to the Cabinet committee on environment and climate change on 8 December and went to Government on 14 December. The policy statement is in line with the existing national ports policy, which recognises the role of...