Results 3,061-3,080 of 8,928 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Heritage Sites (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I reassure the Deputy that these sites are of critical importance and that work is ongoing. Because of the complexity of the matter and the need for due diligence, we do need the Ministers for Transport, Public Expenditure and Reform and Housing, Local Government and Heritage to sign off on this. Once the due diligence exercises are completed, the final business transfer agreements can be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Licences (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will contact the RSA on the licence fee issue. The other issue may be a Department of Health one as it involves going to a doctor for a medical checkup. It is not my area but I do not believe that is covered by the GP card but I will certainly talk to the RSA around the licence fee issue. I reiterate that this is a vital road safety tool and I appreciate the Deputy has not questioned...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Licences (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Just to confirm, my understanding is that the GPs do not have to issue shorter licence periods for specified illnesses. It is up to them, as they are the medical experts, to give the clinical assessment as to somebody's ability to drive. It is completely within their remit. That comes from the National Office for Traffic Medicine, which was jointly established by the Royal College of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy. I am not taking away from the crisis for the sector, but just to outline what the Government has done, in budget 2020, arising from Brexit challenges, the marginal rate of compensation relating to the diesel rebate scheme was doubled. That increase has been maintained since. In budget 2022 there was an expansion of the accelerated capital allowance scheme for gas...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: On the final issue raised by the Deputy, the logistics supply chain group is working with all stakeholders to consider, and ensure movement is happening on, issues within the logistics and supply chain sector. That includes the skills shortage. It involves working with the third level sector and raising awareness of the apprenticeships in Institute of Technology Sligo and the technological...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Licences (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Irish driving licence law is framed by the requirements of EU legislation. Under the EU directives, a person with an identified or specified illness, such as diabetes, is required to provide a medical report when applying for a learner permit or driving licence. The medical report must be completed by a general practitioner, GP, and a licence may be issued for one, three or ten years. The...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Coast Guard Service (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Deputy will have been aware that the Doolin volunteer team was stood down due to concerns about the safety of its operations in the circumstances pertaining at the time. I am happy to confirm that the unit has been reconstituted on an interim basis, with a core group of volunteers who, the Coast Guard believes, can work and operate together. This follows extensive engagement by Coast...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Coast Guard Service (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: On the complement of the team, there are currently eight members. It is difficult to comment on the numbers of the reconstituted team. Certainly, there will perhaps be 12 members of the team to start with. Currently, additional cover is being provided from Kilkee and Killaloe. Helicopter and other emergency services are also being provided. The other recommendations of the Mulvey...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Coast Guard Service (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: What we all want is a fully functioning Coast Guard in Doolin. It is important to state that the current and only recognised representative group for volunteers is the CUAG, which has been in existence for more than 20 years. What I want to do, and what is happening as part of this review, is to ensure that any gaps that are there from the CUAG's perspective, whether around grievance or...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Haulage Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for raising the issues currently facing the transport sector and hauliers, in particular. The current spike in energy prices arises from the global recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic in conjunction with current international tensions and supply constraint issues. It is being witnessed across the European Union as well as many other regions. In order to mitigate the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Fuel Prices (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The current spike in energy prices arises from the global recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic in conjunction with current international tensions and supply constraint issues. This is being witnessed across the European Union as well as many other regions. The final retail price of fuel is determined by a number of factors which include the costs of production, distribution, global market...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Policy (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Port of Cork is connected to a number of European container hub ports, such as Rotterdam, Antwerp and Dunkirk. Hub ports accommodate very large container vessels that trade on intercontinental trade routes, operated by global shipping lines. The majority of LoLo services to and from the port of Cork link direct to European Hub ports via smaller container vessels (feeder vessels) with...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The motion referred to by the Deputy was discussed in the Dáil on Wednesday 2 March 2022 as part of Private Members Business. The motion was not opposed and I would ask the Deputy to refer to my speech for my views..

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Attendance at National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) front offices is no longer available without an appointment. Previously, people with an appointment had preference and attendance without an appointment was facilitated if time permitted.  Market analysis undertaken by the Road Safety Authority in advance of the procurement of the current service contract showed that more bids and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: A public services card (PSC) is only required when applying for or renewing a learner permit or driving licence online. The PSC is used to confirm a person’s identity and image in place of face-to-face verification. The Road Safety Authority is recognised as a specified body for the use of a PSC under the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended by the Social Welfare and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Safety Authority is responsible for the operation of the driving test service and the information requested is held by them. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA 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: Airport Policy (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Funding of €36m has been allocated by government in 2022 to support regional airports and PSO Air services through the Regional Airports Programme 2021-2025. In a substantial increase in funding available under this Programme, it will deliver €26m in current and €10m in capital funding to support regional airports of Ireland West, Donegal, Kerry, Shannon and Cork in 2022....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Shannon Airport is forecasting close to one million passengers in 2022 with 3 airlines and 25 routes expected for Summer 2022, compared to 6 airlines and 30 routes pre-COVID-19. Aer Lingus transatlantic services to Boston are expected to return on 10 March and New York on 11 March 2022. The United Airlines daily Newark seasonal service will recommence on 27 March. During the COVID-19 crisis...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (3 Mar 2022)

Hildegarde Naughton: Since the lifting of the restrictions on non-essential travel last July, we have welcomed the resumption of flights and the early signs of the restoration of connectivity from our airports. As part of a €160 million funding package provided by Government to support the sector, €116 million was allocated to our airports under a Covid Supplementary Support Scheme to support...