Results 4,181-4,200 of 9,442 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

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...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together. I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative supports and services to prisoners. These include education, employment, work training, healthcare, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and chaplaincy services, some of which are intended to provide purposeful activity while in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (20 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and I will write to him directly when it is available.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I want to assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of how harmful the consequences of crime can be for victims and ensuring victims are better supported by the criminal justice system is a priority for me. Through the implementation of ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’, I am reforming our criminal justice system to ensure that victims are supported, informed and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Domestic Violence (20 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue and to assure him that tackling domestic violence in Ireland is a key priority for this Government. This is reflected in the Programme for Government where we committed to a number of actions in this area, such as the development of a third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and the audit of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Marine Accidents (19 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: First of all, I wish to acknowledge what a tragedy the Whiddy Island disaster was and to express my deepest sympathies to those who died and the families they left behind.  As the Deputy is aware the report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Whiddy Disaster considered the role of the terminal operator, ship operator and several Government Departments and Authorities as well as the role...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Wildlife Protection (19 Oct 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Measures in relation to the protection of marine animals are a matter for the National Parks and Wildlife service under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and I have no role in the formulation or enforcement of those measures. I understand that such measures under that Department's remit include: - The Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018, which states all cetaceans...