Results 5,261-5,280 of 9,052 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (11 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The operation of the tests is handled by the RSA, under contract. My Department does not have access to individual applications nor have I any power to intervene in individual cases. The closure of the Driver Theory Test Service from March-June 2020, as well as the significantly reduced level of capacity necessary on reopening, followed by further closures during subsequent level 5...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (11 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This is an operational matter which I am forwarding to the Road Safety Authority, which has direct responsibibility for the driver licensing service, to respond to directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply within 10 working days I would ask that she contact my office directly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Penalty Points System (11 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This is an operational matter which I am forwarding to the Road Safety Authority, as the body responsible for National Driver Licence Service, to respond to directly. If the Deputy has not received a reply within 10 working days she should contact my office directly.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Driver Licensing Service (11 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: As the Deputy will appreciate, the Covid-19 crisis has had a significant impact on all aspects of our public services, including the National Driver Licence Service. In 2019, the National Driver Licence Service was not deemed to be essential by Government, and was closed from March to June. This inevitably led to a backlog in the processing of licence applications. The NDLS resumed...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (11 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The closure of the Driver Theory Test Service from March-June 2020, as well as the significantly reduced level of capacity necessary on reopening, followed by further closures during subsequent level 5 restrictions, is inevitably increasing service backlogs. The Road Safety Authority has advised my office that it is engaging with its service provider to maximise capacity to offer tests...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (11 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Details on the waiting time for 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. Under current level 5 restrictions, the Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service. As a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (11 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Electric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no separate licence...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (11 Feb 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). 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. Due to the resurgence of Covid-19 in Europe as well as Ireland, possible further...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Officials in my Department are working closely with the providers of the search and rescue service in Sligo. There is no threat to the search and rescue service. We will revert back but the Deputy can be assured that there is work ongoing. I completely understand the importance of the search and rescue service in Sligo.

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for raising this question. I know there have been issues in relation to people contacting the Road Safety Authority. My Department has been in contact with the RSA. There were delays for people who contacted it and had to wait online. We have been assured by the RSA that those issues are being resolved. I will give an update on a number of other issues the Deputy...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I can answer one of the later questions first. There is ongoing engagement on the aviation sector between my Department and the airlines and at a high level in the Government. It is absolutely critical. I do not need to tell the Deputy or anybody in his region the importance of Ireland West Airport Knock to the region. When we come out of this pandemic, airports like Knock should be in a...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I agree that it is very frustrating for people who want to get their driver tests. As a result of the suspension of the driver testing services during the first lockdown there has been a significant backlog. During level 5, driver tests are only available to those who are involved in essential services, including retail workers. We should bear in mind there is no magic bullet for this...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is possible to contact the RSA and request an urgent driver test and provide the relevant details. It is a decision for the RSA with regard to essential workers. Without wanting to repeat myself, the RSA is hiring those 40 extra testers and more will be hired if needed. However, the real issue is the pandemic and the consequent need to restrict the numbers going through the centres....

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I thank the Deputy for raising these issues. Many of the supports that the Government has implemented were raised by the aviation task force and the Oireachtas transport committee, which has done excellent work in this regard. The supports include the wage subsidy scheme, the alleviation of commercial rates, a tax clawback, the Covid restrictions support scheme, the credit guarantee scheme...

Covid-19 (Transport and Travel): Statements (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I will address the impact of Covid on the aviation, freight and maritime sectors in the context of the vital role they play in ensuring that our supply chains continue to operate effectively during the pandemic. The maritime sector has had to be agile and shipping and ports operations have had to respond, in one form or another, in order to maintain delivery of essential goods and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: The importance of the post office network has been clearly demonstrated throughout the pandemic where we have seen a range of initiatives through our post offices which have helped support local communities, the elderly and vulnerable. The serious decline in mail volumes and the impact of Covid-19 on footfall through post offices has had a severe impact on the postal network and the revenue...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Currently, Ireland does not issue driving licences to applicants for international protection (asylum seekers) as their residence status in the State is not yet determined. Having said that, as set out in the Programme for Government, the current policy not to allow applicants for international protection access to a driving licence will be changed. To provide for this, there are a number...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Specific details on an individual's application are held by the Road Safety Authority. 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 days, the Deputy should contact my office.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Brexit Issues (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: In advance of the end of the Brexit transition, my Department in conjunction with the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), undertook a major communications campaign urging business using the GB landbridge to consider a switch to direct routes which would avoid the new control regimes. This campaign was also supported by the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Business Enterprise...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Tests (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: Up until very recently, all EU Member States, including Ireland, exempted essential international transport workers (including HGV drivers and Light Commercial Vehicle drivers) not displaying COVID-19 symptoms from quarantine and testing requirements. However, in recent weeks, in response to new variants and growing Covid-19 numbers, several EU Member States introduced restrictions for...