Results 5,581-5,600 of 9,059 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The RSA is working to expand that capacity. The authority is working with its providers to see how it can do just exactly what the Deputy has outlined in regarding to extending weekend hours, overtime, the recruitment of additional staff as well as extending the postal service. It will need that extra capacity in terms of resources, but, at the same time, the throughput at the testing...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: It is an operational matter for the RSA, but I hear the concerns of the Deputy, loud and clear. I know that in normal times, not just driving instructors, but somebody accompanying the learner driver doing their test, would normally be facilitated to wait in the waiting room in the driving test centres. However, these are not normal times. I take on board the Deputy's concerns in this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Maybe there is and we can look at that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Covid-19 has created difficulties for many public services, including the National Driver Licensing Service, NDLS and the driver testing service, which are provided by the Road Safety Authority. Closures during the initial lockdown earlier this year led inevitably to backlogs, while restrictions on the services, which are necessary in the interests of public health, have reduced capacity...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The plan for living with Covid-19 and the Government decision of 20 October both affirm that any testing model implemented for international travel should not impinge on HSE testing capacity. In light of this, any testing for international travel will need to draw on resources from the private sector, which are not being accessed by the HSE. The testing regime envisaged under the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As Deputy O'Rourke is aware, we are listening to the advice of NPHET at the moment. We are at level 5. We have aligned ourselves with the EU traffic-light approach. People who come to this country from a red-list country will be asked to restrict their movements for 14 days. After five days, they can avail of PCR tests here. Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports and the private sector will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Covid-19 Tests (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Deputy O'Rourke raises a very valid point. Whatever we do at national level with the health protocols, there is a level of responsibility on anyone who is planning to travel here for essential work or who is returning home for Christmas to visit family, relatives and friends. It is in our interests to ensure that we act responsibly, that such persons take a PCR test in advance if they are...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

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. As you are aware, car driving tests were first temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 in March 2020 and since resuming operations in mid-July, there...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Tests (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 19, 59 and 76 together. The Plan for Living with Covid-19 and Government decisions affirm that any testing model implemented for international travel should not impinge on HSE testing capacity. In light of this any testing for international travel will need to draw on resources from the private sector which are not being accessed by the HSE. The...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 90 together. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has issued various blanket exemptions for existing licensed pilots in line with the European Union Aviaton Safety Agency (EASA) recommendations, subject to a detailed safety review and implementation of mitigating measures. These initial exemptions were detailed in IAA Aeronautical Notices P30 and P33...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ports Development (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: As a consequence of Brexit, additional infrastructure will be required for customs, SPS and health checks and controls at our ports and airport. Since 2018, detailed work has been underway across Government, led by the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, to invest in the infrastructure, systems, and staffing required for additional checks and controls for trade with Great Britain...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 41 and 65 together. As you may know, the Irish Aviation Authority currently operates under a dual mandate, within which it provides air traffic management services on a commercial basis to the aviation industry and is also the safety and security regulator of that same industry. Under this dual mandate, the IAA also regulates some of its own...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Safety Authority (RSA) developed protocols for conducting the driving test safely during the pandemic, following detailed consideration and medical advice. Due to the additional hygiene and sanitation procedures that are now absolutely necessary, each testing slot now takes a much longer time to complete. As a result, the number of tests a tester can safely conduct per day was...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: First-time learner permit holders must wait six months after the date of issue of their permit before they can sit their driving test. I will not be making any exceptions to this requirement. As part of the learning process, the 6 month rule for first time permit holders is designed to give the learner driver the opportunity to gain the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The protocol for scheduling appointments is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority in consultation with the Theory Test service provider, and one in which I have no role. However, as I understand, following the closure of the Driver Theory Test service under level 5 restrictions, all appointments during this six week period have been rescheduled to the next available...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Specific details on individual theory test centres are an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The Driver Theory Test has not been deemed to be an essential service under level 5, and I will not be looking for this decision to be reconsidered. People who get a theory test will then need to go and get a learner permit so they can commence driving as accompanied...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: The Road Safety Authority (RSA), through the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), is working to expand the current online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit applications to enable accessibility online rather than by calling to an office. The necessary legislative amendments to facilitate the online system have been made and the regulations come into effect...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: Training for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) is classroom based and legislation governing this training states that the training must take place in a Road Safety Authority (RSA) approved CPC training centre. There are no plans at present to amend this legislation. In addition, The RSA have noted that it would be difficult to quality assure an online training session...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department has requested that the Road Safety Authority, as the body legally responsible for the driver theory test, examine whether theory tests can be taken on line remotely and what is required to so. I understand that the Authority is developing proposals in that regard. However, this planning is at a very early stage and is not expected to come on stream in the immediate future.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Licences (12 Nov 2020)

Hildegarde Naughton: All driving licences that expired between 1 March and 31 August 2020 were extended for 7 months. There is no plan to further extend the validity of driving licences. Irish driving licence law is based on a framework of EU law, and the current extensions bring us into line with the EU legislation.