Results 4,781-4,800 of 9,040 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Network (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects. However, as the Deputy will be aware, enforcement of all road traffic legislation is a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Rail Network (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. In that respect I can confirm that MetroLink’s Preliminary Business Case has now been submitted to the Department and is being considered in line with the Public Spending Code.Once that consideration is complete I will bring the Preliminary Business Case to Government for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together. The RSA is engaging with its service provider to examine ways of increasing the number of tests within the current health constraints for when services resume. In this regard, the aim is to double capacity at test centres over a three-month period. Normal capacity before the pandemic was approximately 15,000 tests per month....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Legislative Measures (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: On 16 February this year, the Government approved proposals which I brought forward to legislate to deal with the anti-social use of scramblers and other similar vehicles. This legislation will be brought forward by way of amendments at committee stage to the forthcoming Road Traffic Bill. The timing of the introduction of these proposals is therefore dependent on the Bill. As the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The scheduling of candidates’ tests is the responsibility of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and as Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases. I have therefore referred this question 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: National Car Test (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the National Car Test (NCT) Service - including the allocation of its resources - is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority and I have therefore referred the question 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: Aviation Industry (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I fully support ongoing efforts to deliver medical supplies to India during this very challenging time. My officials have expedited the necessary flight authorisations for a number of humanitarian cargo flights to India this week. The staffing of such operations is an operational matter for the relevant airlines and airports.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The aviation sector will continue to face a range of challenges over the coming months as the country continues to combat COVID-19. Though a protracted recovery is likely, the progress of our national vaccination programme and those of our European and other international partners will be key to recovery. My Department is monitoring the financial impact of COVID-19 on the Irish aviation...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Details on the numbers awaiting a Driver Theory Test are held by the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred this part of the question 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. The extension of Covid19 level 5 restrictions by Government means that the Driver Theory Test continues to be...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Aviation Industry (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The majority of the recommendations of the Aviation Recovery Taskforce have been implemented where possible. The recommendations broadly ranged from measures to improve the safety of air travel, to rebuilding regional and international connectivity, and to making financial support measures available to the sector. The current course of COVID-19 means that international travel is reduced to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Alcohol Sales (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Justice Plan 2021, published on 22 February, commits to reviewing and modernising alcohol licensing. My Department is actively engaged with the Night-Time Economy Taskforce looking at innovative approaches to support and develop a vibrant, diverse night-time culture and economy in Ireland. The work of the Taskforce is ongoing and has included wide stakeholder engagement. A key...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Jury Service (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly with a response as soon as it is available.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prisoner Data (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am informed by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that they do not collate information in the format requested by the Deputy. A comprehensive interview takes place at committal stage for all prisoners entering prison. Included in the information gathered at this interview are personal details such as name, date of birth, address, gender, marital status, nationality, next of kin...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am advised by my officials that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. To collate this data would require a manual examination of records across a lengthy period of time. Such an examination would require a disproportionate and inordinate amount of staff time and effort, in circumstances where there are other significant demands on resources.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Protected Disclosures (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 480 together. As the Deputies are aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities. The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Visiting Committees (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy notes, the Programme for Government commits to reviewing the existing function, powers, appointment procedures and reporting processes for prison visiting committees. A Review Team has been established to take this commitment forward. Two meetings of the Review Team have taken place and a draft paper is in development.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Programme for Government (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will be aware, the Justice Plan 2021 commits to a suite of actions to reduce re-offending rates for those convicted of crime, including the publication of a policy review on penal policy in the third quarter of this year. This review will set out actions to be taken to reduce the rate of re-offending. As part of this, it is intended to establish a penal policy consultative...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Prison Staff (5 May 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a review of the Psychology Service was undertaken in 2015 by Dr Frank Porporino, an international expert in prison mental health. Since this review was commissioned, there has been a significant transformation in psychological services provided to people in custody which has included an increase in psychologist posts and a more balanced...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (29 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: During the level 5 period, driving tests will be available only to those who are involved in essential services, including essential retail work.  The Road Safety Authority offers driving tests to those who have completed their required 12 Essential Driver Training lessons and can produce evidence that they are an essential worker, in accordance with Government definitions.  No...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (29 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Driver CPC training has been classified as essential and training has been taking place during the recent restrictions.  There are many training organisations who have facilitated inhouse training for their own drivers, other organisations who have facilitated training to the public and in addition to this some CPC training organisations have chosen not to conduct training during level...