Ms Anne Graham:

I will reply to Deputy Munster's questions. My colleague, Hugh Creegan, will also respond. The first question was about the rail review and whether we were surprised there was no additional allocation in the budget for next year. In fact, there has been an additional allocation of approximately €50 million for Iarnród Éireann for next year. That goes some way towards meeting the underfunding in the provision of rail services. On investment, the Deputy will be aware that consultation is taking place on the rail review and the funding of rail in the future. We do not wish to say what our policy perspective is as we wish to wait and see what the consultation delivers in terms of how the public and other stakeholders feel, after which we will present a report on it.

Regarding rural towns, we always wish to ensure there is public transport available to all rural towns and to support rural transport, even to the house. Our policy would always be to provide as much public transport as is feasible, particularly to isolated areas and rural towns. However, whether it is provided by bus or rail is something we will consider as part of the rail review.

There was a question about providing school and college transport services. It was addressed to the representatives of DCC, but is more appropriate for ourselves as the provider of public transport. We do not have a particular responsibility to provide school transport services in the city. In fact, the legislation does not allow us to provide those services. However, the existing public transport provides services for students at primary and secondary school and at college. Obviously, we wish to provide more of that, subject to funding.

Deputy Fitzpatrick asked why there has been a delay in the competitive tender process. There has been some delay. Obviously, it is a very detailed process. It is the first time we have carried out this tender and it, along with the Dublin metropolitan tender, will be received in January. We expect the successful tenderer will be operating services at the beginning of 2018. It is similar for the other two competitions, which are smaller. They are going through the process as well. One is for the Waterford transport services and the other is for the Kildare commuter services. We expect tenders to be completed and services operating by the start of 2018.