Results 4,821-4,840 of 9,040 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Seanad: Post Office Network: Motion (26 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank Senators for their contributions and for giving me the opportunity to address this important motion. I agree with many of the sentiments expressed and recognise many of the positive social and economic benefits provided by the post office network. I also agree that there is enormous potential for the network to provide a better range of financial and e-commerce services.This is set...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (22 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic.  Many firms in the travel sector have availed of various Government SME supports such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) and the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). They may also be eligible to warehouse VAT and PAYE (Employer) debts and also excess payments received by...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (22 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: When people come to Ireland with a non-exchange licence, we have no option but to require them to go through the process of obtaining an Irish licence. This is a matter of public safety. While many may have a safe driving record, we have no way of measuring this.  At present, people with a full but non-exchange licence go through the normal driver learning process but can...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (22 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Designation of states is a matter primarily for the Minister for Health, under section 38E (1) of the Health Act 1947 (inserted by section 7 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021). It provides the Minister for Health, on the advice of the Chief Medical Officer, to specify additional states as designated states , following consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and such other...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Search and Rescue Service Provision (22 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Transparency is a fundamental element of public procurement processes.  In the interests of ensuring transparency for all parties potentially interested in the Irish Coastguard Search and Rescue Aviation Project, my Department posts all relevant communications on the process on our dedicated webpage (Irish Coast Guard: Search and Rescue (SAR) Aviation Project) and on...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (22 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The validity period of Initial Basic Training (IBT) certificate is set out in legislation. Making a change to the validity of an existing certificate requires a change in law. I can confirm that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has recently submitted a proposal to my Department for a further extension to IBT certificates.  This is currently being worked on within my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (21 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 282 together. Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode". Eircodes are assigned to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: The RSA is working to deliver an online driver theory test service. It was trialled in December on a pilot basis for those taking a theory test for trucks and buses. The pilot is now being evaluated and the RSA is committed to extending the service for all theory test types during 2021. There will be a limit on the number of customers that can avail of the service during the initial rollout...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I wish to make the Deputy aware that the operation of the tests is handled by the RSA. My Department does not have access to individual applications nor have I any power to intervene in individual cases. Under level 5 restrictions, driving tests are being conducted for essential workers only. I understand that anyone looking for an urgent driving test appointment who is an essential worker...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Under level 5 restrictions, Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) may continue to provide lessons, but only in such circumstances where the learner in question has already been scheduled a test date. Essential Driver Training (EDT) is thus currently suspended. While my Department is fully aware of the difficulties that this poses for essential workers who have not yet completed their 12 EDT...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department is liaising with the RSA on an ongoing basis to help the service meet the growing demand for tests within the current public health situation. An additional 40 driver testers have been authorised by the Minister along with 36 approved for retention or rehire in 2020. Recruitment has commenced and a panel has been formed, which will permit additional numbers to be recruited...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: The information requested is held by the Road Safety Authority. 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: Road Projects (21 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Traffic (Signs) Amendment Regulations 2012 specify that a zebra pedestrian crossing be marked at either end by beacons emitting flashes of yellow light at regular intervals. The purpose of these flashing beacons is to give motorists advance warning that they are approaching a pedestrian crossing, particularly during hours of darkness. Motorists, having been thus alerted,...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: A further extension to the expiry dates of driver CPC qualifying cards and the time limits for the completion of periodic training has been introduced in response to the continued disruption caused by Covid-19 in Ireland and across the EU. The extension applies to different groups of card holders including those who benefited from extensions in 2020. - Any CPC holder, who has not...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: The extension of Covid-19 level 5 restrictions by Government means that the Driver Theory Test continues to be suspended. While I fully appreciate the inconvenience this poses, I must emphasise, that this decision has been taken in line with official public health recommendations that everyone in Ireland work to limit the spread of the virus by staying at home in so far as is possible and...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: By law, the RSA can only test essential workers while we remain in level 5, and there is a defined list set out by Government as to who constitutes an essential worker. Tests will not be conducted for non- essential workers while we remain in level 5. No exceptions can be made. RSA driver testers are undertaking driving tests in extraordinarily difficult conditions in the current Covid-19...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The aviation statistics which are published on the government website are in relation to passenger numbers arriving through the State and Regional Airports. The statistics do not differentiate between private aircraft and/or commercial aircraft. The Border Management Unit (BMU) in the Department of Justice is operationally responsible for immigration duties at Dublin Airport and the...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: A person exchanging a UK driving licence that has expired by less than 1 year is required to provide a letter of entitlement from the relevant UK licensing authority. It is my understanding that the UK authorities not longer provide such letters, but rather issue the requestor with an access code to view their licence entitlements online. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has agreed to accept...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (21 Apr 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329, 396 and 418 together. I can confirm that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has recently submitted a proposal to my Department for a further extension to IBT certificates. This is currently being worked on within my Department. An update is expected shortly. The provision of driving instruction has been defined in legislation introduced by my...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: All enquires relating to driver licensing are handled by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). My Department does not have access to individual applications. I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the RSA for direct reply. If he has not heard from them in 10 working days I would ask that he contact my office directly.