Results 241-260 of 9,112 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Shane Ross

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The online motor tax service, www.motortax.ie, through which 77% of all motor tax applications were transacted last year, continues to operate. Motor tax offices are also continuing to process postal applications in the various offices around the country. It is not possible, at this stage, to give a definitive date for the opening of public counters in motor tax offices, which will be a...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Tourism Industry (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Tourism is one of the most directly affected sectors in the current crisis. The impact of COVID-19 on tourism globally has been overwhelming and immediate with unprecedented consequences for Ireland’s tourism sector. Since late February, Minister Griffin and I, along with my Department officials have engaged with industry with a view to understanding the challenges facing the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Motor Tax (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: In relation to refunds, the relevant legislation provides for a refund of motor tax in certain limited circumstances, where: - a vehicle has been scrapped or destroyed; - a vehicle has been permanently exported; - a vehicle has been stolen and has not been recovered by the owner; - a vehicle in respect of which a tax disc has been taken out has not been used in apublic place at any time...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: In recognition of the economic, social and logistical importance of the overall transport sector, Government designated it among the essential services to continue during the Covid-19 health emergency. Public transport, including the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, remains an important service for those it has continued to carry, including essential workers and those making...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Government-approved Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, and its specific phasing, is based on public health advice. Compliance with the various requirements attaching to each phase of the Roadmap is essential to ensure continued progress against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Roadmap differentiates between outdoor and indoor sporting activity. Subject to compliance with the...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The Government has been clear that continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and it has been designated among the essential services that have continued to operate during the pandemic. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has been working with all transport operators to ensure service continuity, and in this they continue to be guided by the public health advice,...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: As you are no doubt aware, the Department of Health is the lead Government Department in relation to public health matters, including COVID-19 and also measures taken at ports and airports in relation to arriving passengers. Measures to protect public health are decided by the National Emergency Public Health Team (NPHET) within the Department of Health, and my Department and its agencies...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Consumer Rights (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I am aware of difficulties across the travel sector in relation to refunds to customers and that in some instances travel companies such as travel agents may be offering vouchers or similar in respect to refund claims from customers for travel services impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, including school tours. The EU law is clear relating to refunds for package holidays. Under the EU...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Driver Licensing Service (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister, I have no power to intervene in individual cases. I understand that the individual to whom the Deputy refers had a learner permit which expired in 2015, and due to the passage of time is required to begin the process again, by taking a driver theory test. As with other services, driver theory tests are currently suspended. Although the contractor is making plans to clear...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Due to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit. Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months. The RSA is currently working, in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Ministerial Meetings (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I had one such formal meeting, with the Chairperson and the Chief Executive of Bus Éireann on 14 May 2020. I am regularly briefed by my Department about matters in all the companies, and my Department has frequent engagement with them on both a scheduled and ad hoc basis.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Cycling Facilities Data (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including cycling infrastructure. Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Bus Services (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 748 and 749 together. As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland. The issues raised are matters for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport operator and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The School Transport Scheme comes under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. Bus services outside that scheme are part of the overall public transport sector. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is working with public transport operators (both public and private) who are implementing public health advice in relation to issues such as cleaning regimes and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Due to the closure of services provided by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, I took measures to extend the validity of number of documents, including the learner permit. Any learner permits which were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive have had their period of validity extended by 4 months. The RSA is currently working, in...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: It must be understood that a learner permit is not a licence, but a permit to allow a person to drive while learning. The purpose of the driving test is to set out the minimum level of knowledge, skill and competency that a learner must demonstrate in order to become a fully licensed driver. Until a learner can meet this standard and pass this test, they are not safe to take to our roads...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: Under Phase 1 of the Roadmap to Recovery which commenced on Monday 18 May, people are permitted to engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activities on an individual basis. Very small groups – a maximum of four people - are also permitted to engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activity only where there is no physical contact and social distancing of 2 metres can be maintained....

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I am aware that businesses across many sectors, including transport and tourism, are deeply affected by the Covid-19 public health emergency. That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of Government supports for impacted businesses. The range of supports available includes new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: I propose to take Questions Nos. 756, 788, 811 and 821 together. I understand the very difficult business environment that small public service vehicle (SPSV) operators are now dealing with. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the COVID-19 situation presents huge challenges for very many business sectors. That is why we have worked to introduce a wide programme of...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Car Test (27 May 2020)

Shane Ross: The safety of the public is of paramount importance at this time and as in all aspects of the Covid-19 crisis my Department continues to be guided by National Public Health Emergency Team and the relevant national experts in relation to the resumption of services. My officials and the Road Safety Authority are currently examining the possibility of resuming the National Car Test...