Dáil debates

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Bus Services

10:30 pm

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the engagement between her Department and other Departments in respect of the local transport services for communities not served by scheduled public transport services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17939/22]

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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There will be an increase of approximately 25% in the availability of rural bus services. What engagement has there been between the Department and other Departments to deal with the areas where there will not be connectivity or a service?

10:40 pm

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Our Rural Future is the Government's national rural development policy. It sets out an ambitious blueprint for the development of, and investment in, rural Ireland over a five-year period. It is a whole-of-government policy, and the more than 150 measures set out within it are being delivered by the Departments with responsibility for the relevant policy areas, including the Department of Transport.

Our Rural Future was developed following extensive consultation with rural stakeholders and communities, and issues of rural transport provision featured strongly in those discussions. The policy was developed on the basis of these consultations, leading to a strong focus on improving the provision of transport and other services in rural areas.

The first Our Rural Future progress report was published in February and it provides updates on actions detailed in the policy's 2021 work programme. These include rural transport measures such as the expansion of Local Link services, investment in greenways and active travel infrastructure, as well as other public transport upgrades to the bus fleet and train stations and the development of the forthcoming Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, which aims to expand the public transport network in rural areas and to increase service levels.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has the community services programme, CSP, which supports in excess of 2,000 positions in more than 420 community organisations to provide a vast range of local services through a social enterprise model, including the provision of transport services such as accessible transport services for an independent lifestyle for people with permanent or temporary mobility difficulties, physical and sensory disabilities and the not-for-profit sector. CSP funding is provided as a fixed annual contribution towards the cost of an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions, including a manager where appropriate, focusing on communities where public and private sector services are lacking either through geographical or social isolation or because demand levels are not sufficient.

Of the six organisations that are supported under CSP which provide a range of community services to older people, including transport, one is based in Macroom in Cork. It was supported with funding of more than €146,000 for the provision of services through the operation of three day care centres, transport services to older people and the provision of meals on wheels services.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State. However, would he not accept that despite the increase of over 25% in the level of services, there will still be areas which need additional support and work? Should there be further engagement, perhaps with our local authorities, to ensure we can provide that transport service?

I know the increase of 25% is over a five-year period. In my own constituency there is talk of a new service between Cork, Whitechurch, Carrignavar, Glenville, in the Grenagh area and Tower, Courtbrack out to the Rylane area. The question is the timeframe. Do we have an idea of the level of increase in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth years? What other work can be done in the areas where there is no proposal for providing additional services?

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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I do not have the detail of the stages of investment and what will happen on the ground over the next few years. The Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan is a major national public transport initiative funded by the Department of Transport and managed by the National Transport Authority, NTA. The aim of the plan is to increase public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside major towns and cities. The Department of Transport has allocated €5.6 million from budget 2022 to the NTA to commence planning under this initiative. I think it is fair to say the planning will come first and the investment will follow in the next few years. Connecting Ireland proposes to expand the public transport network to rural areas and to increase service levels. As the Deputy said, there is a 25% overall increase in rural bus services. Some 70% of people in Ireland will have access to a public transport service that provides at least three return trips daily to the nearby town. The active travel infrastructure will also connect in with these over time.

Photo of Colm BurkeColm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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I ask about the review of services. Places have developed where there is not a service and that connectivity is lacking. I think of my own area, for instance, where Dripsey to Ballincollig has developed but there is no bus service from Dripsey to Ballincollig even though it is the nearest town to a big rural area. Would that also be part of the overall review?

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Again, that is really a question for the NTA and I am happy to take that question and seek detail on the transport connections to it as well.

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