Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is. Under the auspices of EU projects, we have been told that there will be some electric buses. I believe that the Ring-A-Link service might be in line for one of those buses. Is capital funding available, and will an electric bus be furnished to the Ring-A-Link service in Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary? Is there a subvention or a roadmap? I need answers to all those questions.

I always feel that Carlow, and Kilkenny and the rest of the south east, is forgotten. We have always asked about the possibility of an extra bus, particularly one providing services from New Ross, St. Mullins, Tinnahinch and Borris. Is there any way in these times of need that we can get a bus service in those areas? My understanding is that payments are available through Covid-19 schemes. I also understand, and I would like to have this in writing, that a bus is meant to start operating from Arklow to Carlow? Will the Minister confirm that?

These are all issues we need to get information on and we must ensure that we give people, particularly in my area, these services and timing is crucial. We have all been through the Covid-19 crisis and, as the Minister will be aware, transport is a major issue. I would like some information on that.

Others have raised the issue of taxi drivers, but I know many in my area who are under pressure. They have mortgages, and feel they have been forgotten. We need to help and support them. I ask the Minister to do his best to see what we can do and provide as much proper transport as possible. As I always say, things do not just revolve around Dublin; we must remember rural Carlow and Kilkenny, where we are always forgotten.

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