Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans and timelines to upgrade bus services across mid-Cork, including Macroom to Cork, Macroom to Bandon and other local services based around Macroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13251/24]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Connecting Ireland has a comprehensive plan for upgrading public transport right across the country, including in mid-Cork. A timetable is key for passengers who are waiting for a bus and it is also essential to allow people to know when to expect services will become available. Will the Minister set out a timetable for the delivery of that Connecting Ireland plan, in particular with regard to mid-Cork communities between Cork city and Macroom and westward?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options and the enhancement of public transport offerings is key to that goal. As Minister for Transport, my responsibility is to direct policy and overall funding related to public transport.

With respect to services in County Cork, it is the NTA that has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including the roll-out of TFI Local Link services and those under the new Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan. To that end, I have been advised that the NTA is in the process of planning the reconfiguration of route 233 between Macroom and Cork with a view to improving the existing levels of service. A target date for implementation of revised services on this corridor is not yet available as the work is ongoing and a public consultation exercise is planned to inform the development of proposals.

As I am sure the Deputy is aware, Connecting Ireland has been hugely successful since implementation began in 2022, with passenger numbers on the TFI Local Link regular bus services increasing by 78% year on year to 3.2 million passengers last year.

Specifically, on the Macroom to Bandon route proposed under the Connecting Ireland plan, I advise the Deputy that the NTA is in the process of finalising the new and enhanced services being prioritised this year, as set out in the budget 2024 allocations.

I am not yet in a position to confirm whether or when this service will be implemented this year as any decisions made will be contingent on decisions around the prioritisation of routes, which is done by the NTA.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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A key corridor west of the city serves the Lee Valley towards Macroom, serving communities such as Ovens, Aherla, Cloughduv, Crookstown, Kilmurray, Coachford and Macroom, where the route 233 service is based. That same bus serves the Inchigeelagh and Ballingeary area as well. When we look at the timetable, it looks very extensive but because it is spread so thin, this means that people living in these communities cannot realistically expect to depend on getting a bus in and out of town to go to college or work. An upgrade is needed. They were not part of the original Connecting Ireland plan but they made submissions to the public consultation phase to ensure they were included. To suggest there would be a further consultation phase pushes it down the line further. Communities have already, as part of Connecting Ireland, made it clear that they want to be part of it. Is there some way of ensuring this can be advanced sooner rather than later?

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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We have already significantly enhanced some of the services to Macroom. West of there, route 257, which was part of the first phase of Connecting Ireland and goes all the way to Millstreet, was introduced in December 2022 and the patronage in the following year increased by 112%. I agree with the Deputy about the demand that is there. With regard to the section east of Macroom and extending to Cork and beyond, I agree there is a demand for a service on that route. Our job in the Department is very much to provide the funding and support, and we are doing that.

As to whether there is too much consultation, that is a difficult question. People sometimes think there is not enough and it is hard to argue against that, in particular if the NTA is carrying that out to perhaps assess what is the best final route or what level of service enhancements are to be made. I am very supportive of additional investment in a new route in this area and I hope it can be delivered quickly.

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister referred to the Millstreet service. Many of the routes in Cork come towards the city. There is clearly a need for a radial service which would give people an opportunity, for example, to go to Millstreet, Macroom and Bandon, and on towards Kinsale if they wish, instead of having to go to the city. As the Minister said, part of that route was upgraded but it stopped short in Macroom. Continuing that, as proposed in the original Connecting Ireland plan, would also offer services to people in Crookstown and Newcestown. It would remove the need for everybody to come into Cork to go on to the next branch if there was a radial route. Advancing that radial route between Macroom, Millstreet and Bandon would be very positive and needs to be prioritised.

The plan included a significant increase to the route 40 express bus service but it still has not been extended by an extra half an hour. It is vital that this is also advanced for the 40 bus route.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Before the Minister replies, I will allow Deputy Gould to come in.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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There are huge issues with all of the bus services in Cork. Last week, Sinn Féin in Cork brought out a policy outlining that a minimum of 30 extra drivers need to be hired by Bus Éireann to fill the gaps that are now showing. Due to traffic congestion, we are seeing more people using the buses, which is what we all want, but the problem is that buses are being delayed and are not turning up – they are ghost buses. People cannot depend on the bus service. The most disappointing aspect is that the app is not accurate. I met with the NTA, which told me it would be a year to 18 months before it can guarantee its accuracy. In this day and age, when we want people to use public transport, if we do not have an accurate bus app, we are at nothing.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I agree with both Deputies on the points made. I argue that there are two key constraints to what we all want, which is a major expansion of public transport services in Cork county and city, as well as in the rest of the country. The first is a budget constraint. Even with the significant resources provided, the truth is that we are going to have to make difficult decisions because everywhere is now looking for further and enhanced services, correctly so. That is why it is very important that we prioritise public transport but it is controversial because many people say we should be prioritising roads and so on. However, if we do not give prioritisation to public transport, which historically has been forgotten about and not supported, then we cannot deliver the orbital routes, such as the route to Macroom, Bandon and Millstreet. That is exactly the sort of service that we need and Connecting Ireland is designed to deliver that sort of option. Route 257 is coming into Macroom from Millstreet and if it is heading on to Bandon, someone could switch over to route 233 or route 40 to get into Cork, so we would design Bus Connects that way.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Thank you, Minister.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The second issue is resources, as Deputy Gould said. There is a real problem in Cork, not just with drivers but also mechanics. We have a real challenge and it is a question of how we address that. Obviously, we will try to get the people but the other way to address it is by providing the bus priority.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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We are way over time.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Bus Connects in Cork would get the priority out to Ballincollig, which could get the service improvements to Macroom, as well as addressing the problems in the city. It is our job to give prioritisation to public transport on the road to help to solve that problem. I am sorry if I am over the time.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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It is not your fault. There was a supplementary question on top of the question. I am going to limit the questions so the Members who are in attendance will have their questions answered.