Results 5,661-5,680 of 9,443 for speaker:Hildegarde Naughton

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...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: Prior to 1989, the driver licensing system permitted a car and trailer to be driven under the car licence alone. Licence categories were then changed, with separate categories covering car (Category B) and car and trailer (Category BE). People licensed to drive with trailer before 1989 were allowed to keep their old entitlements, simply by ticking the appropriate box on the application form...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: The details requested are 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: Driver Licences (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

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

Hildegarde Naughton: I am aware that the RSA has experienced a number of delays and operating issues since the launch of their new customer portal. Officials in my Department have raised these matters with the RSA who have taken action to address them. The RSA has assured the Department that the situation has now improved and that customers should now be able to access the portal without any undue delay. As...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: This is an operational matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Road Safety Authority (10 Feb 2021)

Hildegarde Naughton: I am aware that the RSA has experienced a number of operating issues since the launch of its new customer portal and officials in my Department have raised these issues with the RSA. We have been reassured by the Authority, these technical issues are gradually being resolved. Performance improvements have recently been implemented meaning customers can now access the portal without any undue...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: Motor tax is payable if a vehicle is being used in a public place. I understand that refunds of a proportion of motor insurance paid last year were given on the basis of reduced risk due to a reduction in the number of vehicles on the road given the restrictions put in place due to Covid. Motor tax is not linked to the level of use on the road, rather it accrues to the Exchequer as an...

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

Hildegarde Naughton: My Department has been in communication with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in view of the potential difficulties arising for candidates arising from their proposed cancellation of the Transport Management CPC examination on March 31, and we have received confirmation from the Institute that the examination will now be held on that date as an exceptional measure for 2021.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (10 Feb 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. Due to suspension of driver testing services in the initial pandemic response, along with the health protocols required since the resumption of...