Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

Approximately 600 licences are on issue in respect of public bus passenger services being provided by private bus operators throughout the country. In the first half of this year there has been an increase of over 40% in the number of applications. The total number of applications received for the first six months of 2009 was 152. Applications for annual passenger licences during that period increased by over 100% when compared to the first six months of 2008. It is clear, therefore, that something is happening in the market.

I am informed that no undue delays occur in respect of processing either bus licence applications for private operators or notifications from the State bus companies. In 2008 the Department received in the region of 500 applications for proposed services. These comprised applications for new licences from private operators, amendments to existing licences and notifications from the State bus companies. Some 90% of these applications were processed in 2008. Almost 100% of the remaining 2008 applications had been processed by the beginning of this month. A total of 601 cases were finalised in 2008, comprising 447 applications received in that year and 154 that were outstanding from previous years.

The aim is that, where possible and once all the necessary information has been provided, applications are processed with weeks of being received. In view of the level of complaints received, I insisted that this be the case when I took up my portfolio.

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