Results 6,921-6,940 of 9,471 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Qualifications Recognition (8 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I understand that previously driving instructors received a National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 6 Certification on passing the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) tests conducted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) which are necessary to become a driving instructor. The NFQ system is operated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) which is the State Agency with the role of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (8 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 207, inclusive, together. The operation of the National Car Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's query to the Authority 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: Vehicle Testing (8 Dec 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Excessive noise and exhaust emissions from vehicles can have a negative effect on public health, wellbeing and quality of life. I would reassure the Deputy that there is a robust suite of legislation in place in Ireland to regulate against the improper maintenance and upkeep of vehicle exhaust systems.  Under Section 29 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Use and Equipment of...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: They are.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: On that exact point, we have introduced a new eligibility criterion whereby airports get funding, under the regional airports programme, for sustainability projects, including those related to electric vehicles, fire engines and emissions reduction. All that is part of it. This will all feed into a new regional airports programme and, therefore, there are sustainability objectives. This is...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I have had regular meetings with the RSA on this. We all know about the backlog owing to Covid. Everything needs to be done by the RSA to ensure it is recruiting driving testers. It has to have an open procurement process because it is part of EU law.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: Considerable pressure is being put on the RSA by the Department and me to deal with the backlogs. There is a priority list whereby people can apply to get a driving test at shorter notice if under pressure. However, I too am unhappy about the backlog. The RSA is recruiting. We are in regular contact with the authority.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: Earlier this year, the RSA conducted a review of the current needs of the driving test service. It recommended 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...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: That is under the remit of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I am aware that he met the committee members on this matter and understand he will be going to the Government shortly with the report. I can refer him to the Deputy on this.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I will get the Deputy a date.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: Yes. I will get the Minister to revert to the committee directly.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: No, it does not but the Deputy can ask the question and I can try to get the answer for him. If I cannot get it for him today, I will get back to him.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I will come back to the Deputy on that. Is that okay? It is the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan's side of the house.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: Is the Chair referring to the open recruitment?

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 know but we have to adhere to EU law.

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...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I am following up on that. I have been working on licence exchange agreements between different countries. A substantial amount of work has been done behind the scenes with Argentina, North Macedonia and Moldova. Prior to the war in Ukraine, we were looking at Ukrainian haulage drivers. As a result of work at EU level, there is now a training course Ukrainian HGV drivers can do to be...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: We will have a similar scheme to help licensed hauliers with their fuel costs. As the Deputy said, €15 million was allocated for a temporary support scheme earlier in the year, and I am planning something similar. Those details are being worked out. I am in regular contact with the IRHA on how that will work. I hope to make an announcement on that before Christmas.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: Just before the Deputy came in, I made the point that I am carrying out our mid-term review of the regional airports programme to do just that. We have opened up consultation on how we can have more balanced regional development. That is about driving more traffic through our regional airports with a focus on the regions. I got some feedback from the Chair on the closing date. I am doing...