Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the scale of State support needed during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic and in respect of the projected plans for Bus Éireann's future expansion, what level of investment is being sought from the Government?

Turning to the issue of unmet needs, many people would agree with the point made by Mr. Kent regarding investment leading to improved services and a higher level of customer satisfaction, and that those aspects are self-fulfilling. There are significant levels of unmet needs across the country. I am thinking of areas and new communities in my constituency which have no bus services. Some 4,000 people live in Stamullen and hundreds of people live in Kentstown. I could list all these areas. It is the same with the school bus transport scheme and the situation with concessionary and non-concessionary tickets. The unmet need this year was unprecedented. Is this a matter entirely for the NTA? I ask that because surely Bus Éireann's drivers know these areas and the communities which are growing very well. What upward pressure is coming from Bus Éireann in respect of the NTA and delivering services in those areas?