Results 3,661-3,680 of 8,928 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In order to deal with the backlog in driving tests created by Covid, the RSA received approval in 2020 to rehire 36 temporary testers. In addition, the RSA received sanction to hire 40 additional testers on a temporary basis to assist with the backlogs. These new testers have completed their training and are now conducting live tests since July 2021. Sanction has also been granted to...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. Individual appointments are an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. This question is therefore being referred 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: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. This is an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. This question is therefore being referred 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: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. Individual appointments are an operational matter for the RSA and I do not have any role in this process. This question is therefore being referred 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: Air Services (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: There is no additional cost to the State when the number of HEMS or other aeromedical support missions such as inter hospital transfer missions exceed 12. My Department and the HSE National Ambulance Service have agreed arrangements in place for the operation of this service including arrangements for transfer of funds when this number is exceeded. The cost to the State for additional...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: A new Regional Airports Programme for the period 2021 to 2025 was published on 4 February 2021. This Programme will continue to support Ireland’s smallest airports, including Ireland West Airport, that operate scheduled services and handle fewer than 1 million annual passengers. Capital supports under this Programme are targeted at grant-aiding investments in safety and security...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Coast Guard Service (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Irish Coast Guard Building Programme is managed by the Office of Public Works and funded by the Department of Transport. Construction of Coast Guard Stations at both Greystones and Westport are both on the priority list for this programme listed at Number 1 and Number 2 respectively. Funding for Greystones has been approved by my Department with estimated costs of €3.9 M. It...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: While I appreciate that the requirement to drive under the supervision of an experienced driver may be logistically challenging for learner drivers in rural communities, it has been an offence for a learner to drive without appropriate supervision since 2007. The driving test sets out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under legislation, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the body responsible for the operation of the Driving Test. The information requested is held by the Road Safety Authority. This question is therefore being referred 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: Driver Test (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In line with the gradual reopening of services this summer, driving tests for all those who are eligible to take the test and have been waiting longest have now recommenced. Critical frontline workers continue to be the priority for the driver testing service. There is no discrimination against rural dwellers seeking a test. Everyone who is eligible to take a test can seek a date for a test....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (2 Nov 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: While I am fully sympathetic that the requirement to drive under the supervision of an experienced driver may be difficult in families where there is a single qualified driver, I must be very clear that it has been an offence for a learner to drive without appropriate supervision since 2007. This is an important life-saving law and there can be no excuses for breaking it. A learner...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (21 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill has completed drafting and I intend to bring it to my Government colleagues for approval to publish in the coming weeks. As the Deputy will be aware, the purpose of the Bill is to enhance current systems for the assessment and management of convicted sex offenders and to put those systems on a statutory footing. 

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Crime Prevention (21 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The government is committed to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence in all its forms, and to supporting victims of this heinous crime. My Department provides funding to support the work of An Garda Síochána to combat such violence. It also provides funding to promote and assist the development of specific support services for victims of crime within the criminal...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (21 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy is aware, An Garda Síochána has responsibility for monitoring persons convicted of sexual offences who are subject to Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. The Garda National Protective Services Bureau, which falls under the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime has a dedicated unit, the Sex Offender Management and Intelligence Unit...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Programme (21 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: We committed in the Programme for Government to addressing the problem of anti-social use of scramblers and other similar vehicles, by legislation if necessary. I am happy to be able to say that the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, which was published on 19 October 2021, includes provisions to deal with this problem.  New powers will allow for regulations to ban particular types of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (21 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Ireland has a driving licence exchange agreement with Ontario, Canada for car licences only. The Road Safety Authority, as the licensing authority in Ireland, is engaging with the Ontario authorities to examine the possibility of extending the current agreement to include trucks and buses. To ensure the safety of road users, such agreements can be made only when the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legislative Measures (21 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Sex Offenders (Amendment) Bill has completed drafting and I intend to bring it to my Government colleagues for approval to publish in the coming weeks. As the Deputy will be aware, the purpose of the Bill is to enhance current systems for the assessment and management of convicted sex offenders and to put those systems on a statutory footing. 

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (20 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the Driver Testing Service is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority, and one in which I have no role. I am therefore passing the Deputy's question to the Road Safety Authority for direct reply.  If a reply has not been received within 10 working...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (20 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Office of the Inspector of Prisons is a statutory body, independent in its work, set up under the Prisons Act 2007. The Inspector's key role is to carry out regular inspections of prisons. The Office is required to inspect the twelve prisons in Ireland to examine the treatment and conditions of prisoners and staff. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic,...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Service (20 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I hope you can appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual prisoner cases. However, I can assure the Deputy that the return of the prisoner in question to custody is now being actively pursued by the Gardaí and I can advise that the Irish Prison Service has commenced an internal review of the circumstances of his absconding with a...