Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Whitmore for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I advise that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport but it is the National Transport Authority that has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including management of the rural transport programme which operates under the Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link brand.

Local Link services are an integral part of the public transport offering connecting communities throughout rural Ireland. In recognition of the vital role these services play, there has been a substantial increase in funding for Local Link services over recent years, going from €12.2 million in 2016 to more than €28 million this year. The additional funding has enabled the introduction of 85 new rural regular service routes, as well as improvements to demand responsive door-to-door services and the piloting of evening or night-time services in certain rural areas, which have now been mainstreamed. The new rural regular services operate at least five times per day over a five, six or seven day per week schedule. They are specifically designed to ensure connectivity with other public transport services and better linkage of services between and within towns and villages.

In terms of Local Link services in Wicklow, the NTA has advised that there is a range of services in operation including regular rural services and demand responsive services. These allow passengers to travel from their local village or town for business, shopping, healthcare or to connect with the national bus and train network. An example of such a service is the Carlow to Arklow route 800 service, which was introduced in December 2020 and has seen considerable growth in passenger numbers since it began. Wicklow and Arklow towns are also shortly to benefit from a new Local Link route, the 183 Arklow to Sallins, which is in procurement and will commence service later this year. In addition to the range of TFl Local Link services, Wicklow is also served by a variety of other public transport offerings, including those provided by Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, commercial operators, the DART and other rail services.

I want to highlight the Minister for Transport's commitment to the roll-out of the Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, which aims to increase connectivity, particularly for people living outside our major cities and towns. In budget 2022, the Minister for Transport secured an allocation of €5.6 million to progress, develop and begin delivery of this important plan. Through Connecting Ireland, additional and improved public transport services are being made available by installing additional stops, modifying routes and delivering more services. These services will ensure better access for all those housed in our rural communities. On the ground, the services will be mainly provided by a mixture of TFI Local Link and Bus Éireann services.

The NTA has advised the Department of Transport that it is in the procurement, planning, and design stage for up to 40 enhanced services nationwide this year. All going well, many of these services are anticipated to be operational by the end of the summer. Connecting Ireland aims to identify these gaps in the public transport network and to develop plans to address them. I understand that all settlements defined as such by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, that line the Wicklow coast along the R750 are connected by public transport. As such, there are no plans for a coastal Local Link bus service in County Wicklow as a requirement for such a service has not been identified. That being said, there are other proposed routes for Wicklow and these can be viewed on the NTA's website. I assure the Deputy that the Minister for Transport, through the provision of existing services and the roll-out of Connecting Ireland, remains committed to ensuring that those living in County Wicklow are provided with a safe, reliable and sustainable public transport network.

See this speech in context