Ms Anne Graham:

The National Transport Authority is looking to put in place extra public service obligation services, as well as replacement services. When we know how much these services will cost, we will seek extra funding for them.

The Deputy asked about the privatisation of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann routes. The proposal is to open to competition 10% of the existing direct-award public service obligation services currently operated by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann. That is not necessarily privatisation because both companies can complete for these services. The contracts will be with the authority. They will be very similar to the direct-award contracts, with similar terms and conditions, including contract conditions. Therefore, there should not be any change to the services provided for members of the public. They will run to the same timetable and the same general conditions of carriage will apply. We have commenced that proposal. We have commenced the competition for these services. We hope the new contracts will be in place in 2016.

We have met the communities through the public meetings that have taken place. We will work with the working groups and representatives at county council level to see what is the level of demand for replacement services. We will also work with rural transport groups, including the Local Link transport co-ordination units that have been set up. Those involved with this local community resource try to assess individual needs with regard to our services. They can plan local services that feed into core or replacement services, the remaining services provided by Bus Éireann and Irish Rail or other commercial services.