Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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The cost of bus and rail tickets is a serious issue, for many young people in particular. I would appreciate the NTA looking into this because in rural Ireland young people totally depend on a bus service, particularly with car insurance being so expensive. It is nearly an impossibility for people to get on the road. They are totally dependent on bus and rail. Recently, I raised in the Dáil the issue of a lack of rail. We had rail going to Schull and Mizen Head and throughout west Cork in the 1850s. I am looking to see whether we can have rail coming as far as Bandon, which would open up west Cork. We also need to deliver a transport service for people with disabilities over 18 years of age. They are entitled to a free service when they are aged 17 years and 364 days, but once they reach their 18th birthday they are given an automatic ticket on a bus. Most of these people cannot go on a bus on their own. No service is available for elderly people who are unable to travel throughout west Cork for four hours a day. This is an area for which I would like funding to be provided to Local Link Cork.