Results 4,341-4,360 of 9,442 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (21 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 to 484, inclusive, together. The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act, 1962, which is the primary legislation covering the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the Scheme, the courts, through the...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Legal Aid (21 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I refer the Deputy to my response provided on 27 July 2021 in respect of Dáil question number 1,368 and can confirm that the position remains unchanged.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Human Trafficking (21 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Human trafficking is a heinous crime based on deception and exploitation of vulnerable people. Combatting it is, and will continue to be, a priority for this Government. Over the past year we have introduced significant measures to combat trafficking, to create a more victim-centred approach to identifying and supporting victims, and to raise awareness and provide training. While it was very...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Strategies (21 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms is a priority for me and for Government. My Department is leading the development across Government of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence which will place a priority on prevention and reduction and will include a National Preventative Strategy. This new Strategy is being co-designed...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (21 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 503, 507 and 508 together. The Stardust fire was a national tragedy that has left a particular legacy of pain for many people in North Dublin. I again offer my deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the 48 young people killed in the Stardust fire over forty years ago. These families have suffered a terrible loss. I also recognise the impact on...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: For the theory test, and I will make reference to the driving test as well, there are one in five no-shows. It is very important to say that. Almost 30% of those who sit their theory test fail it so they will be reapplying for that and there are free slots available for the theory test. There is a huge amount of work there. The target was to have 50,000 theory tests per month so that is...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Minister and I are acutely aware of the importance of putting in place a chair of Shannon Group and I am listening very closely to the concerns of Oireachtas Members. We share those concerns about the future of Shannon Airport and the need for leadership there in terms of a chair being put in place. As the Minister has said, I commend Mary Considine and the management team there who...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Regional Airports (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I concur with the Minister. Deputy Crowe was right about the US pre-clearance in that Shannon Airport has an edge. As he knows, certain things are out of our control because these severe entry restrictions are on the US side but I assure him there are a number of bilaterals happening at EU level with the US and between Ireland, the Taoiseach and the US. We understand the importance of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Due to the suspension of driver testing services during the initial pandemic response, along with the health protocols required since the resumption of services, they are operating well below normal capacity and a significant backlog has developed. Covid-19 has had a profound effect on the delivery of these services, which must comply with occupational and public health guidelines. Fewer...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The previous 40 have been recruited and they are now fully trained and started live testing in July. I know the question was not on theory tests but there is really positive work happening in that space. In June, we had a backlog of 129,431 theory tests. That is down to 71,227 and there are free slots available for the driver theory test. Some 9,000 to 10,000 tests per week are happening....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Irish aviation sector is critical to Ireland's economic development by being a key enabler of international trade and business, including foreign direct investment and tourism. However, the impact of Covid-19 on travel is the most challenging crisis in its history. Many analysts are predicting that it will take several years for the sector to return to 2019 levels of activity. While...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: We are having constructive conversations with trade unions and employer groups as part of the LEEF subgroup, which is helping this engagement on the needs of the sector. In the Government's economic recovery plan, which was published on 1 June, we were clear that aviation was one of the sectors that would take longer to recover. Officials in my Department are considering further supports...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Aviation Industry (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy knows, the European Commission gave us approval under EU state aid rules for €26 million to compensate airports for the damages caused by Covid-19. My objective was to enable commercial business within airports and allow them to deal directly with airlines in terms of route incentives and the issues the Deputy raised. That is the business of our airports, and the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 59 together. The Government is committed to working with An Post and Postmasters to ensure that the post office network continues to play a strong role in the delivery of postal and other services to their customers. My officials and I have met with representatives of the Irish Postmasters' Union (IPU) in relation to the Grant Thornton Report and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department is in constant contact with the Road Safety Authority since the start of the pandemic regarding all of its services, the impact of Covid-19 on those services, and how they can best be maintained in the current circumstances. Since last October, the driver testing service has been prioritising essential workers. Since May 2021, the RSA has been returning to delivering tests...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 120, 137, 175 and 183 together. In recent days I have received email correspondence from many individual air traffic controllers outlining their concerns regarding workplace issues within the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). This correspondence was also copied to members of the Oireachtas, the IAA, and my Department. The issues raised in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: International Protection (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As set out in the Programme for Government, the Government will act on interim recommendations from the Chair of the Expert Group on the Provision of Support, including Accommodation, to Persons in the International Protection Process (Asylum Seekers) to improve conditions for asylum seekers currently living in the system. This includes the ability to apply for driver licences.  To...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: Government supports for the airports, airlines and companies in the aviation sector have been provided throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, it is estimated that the sector will have received over €300 million through a number of the supports available. The bulk of the support is through the wage subsidy scheme which was specifically designed to maintain the link...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Airport Policy (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 96 and 170 together. As the Deputy is aware, Cork Airport has closed to undertake a major runway reconstruction for 10 weeks until 22 November, when it will reopen for the busy Christmas period. Given the mix of business and operational demands at different stages of this project, Cork Airport has engaged extensively with employees during the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety (16 Sep 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton:  As Minister, I am very concerned to ensure that there are appropriate speed limits in place.  This is an essential matter of public safety, as speed is not only a major cause of collisions, but also a determining factor in how serious those collisions are. By way of addressing this issue, I am currently looking at options to carry out a review of the framework for the...