Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I am grateful for the opportunity to address a matter of great importance to my community, which is the urgent need for a Local Link service along the N17 corridor from Bellahy to Sligo. The commitment outlined in the programme for Government to increase Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities underscores the Government recognition of our need for improved connectivity. In addition, the intent to integrate Local Link transport routes with health services shows a holistic approach to solving transport difficulties and increasing access. However, we must turn this commitment into action. Currently, the National Transport Authority highlights that the national primary route is serviced chiefly by Expressway services which stop in larger towns only. The service model falls dramatically short of addressing the transport needs of smaller communities. The sentiments of the local public echo a pressing demand for service along the N17 corridor that meets the needs evident in other parts of the country, such as the route serving Bundoran, extending to Grange and Sligo.

These towns enjoy the dual advantage of being served by Bus Éireann and Local Link services, which makes a significant difference to those who rely on public transport. In stark contrast, communities along the N17 face considerable barriers. People who do not drive due to age or health issues or simply a desire to engage in social activity find themselves isolated without viable options to connect with essential services, social engagements and educational opportunities. While Bus Éireann's route No. 66 stops in Tubbercurry, it fails to provide services to the surrounding areas such as Bellaghy, Tullan Strand, Cloonacool, Achonry, Coolaney and Mullanabreena. The absence of Local Link services is keenly felt as the cost of the commercially operated Expressway No. 64 service is not only higher, but also renders essential travel inaccessible for many. It is disheartening to note that residents of the area feel increasingly disadvantaged compared with the neighbouring areas that benefit from more comprehensive transport options. Feedback from the community regarding existing local services such as the Coolaney-Sligo and Ballaghaderreen-Sligo routes indicates that these services are not only well received but are essential for connecting rural communities. This further highlights how the lack of service along the N17 places residents at a disadvantage, making it increasingly difficult to access social, educational and health-related functions in Sligo.

The pressing issue of limited student accommodation for students of Atlantic Technological University, ATU, Sligo adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Without reliable transport, students who cannot drive are effectively barred from pursuing their education at this vital institution. This is not merely a transport issue. It is a barrier to access to education and opportunities. It is essential we secure a Local Link service for south Sligo as doing so would result in a more active and engaged community. I stand firm in the belief that such a service would be busier than the existing Castlerea to Sligo service, ensuring residents can travel freely and safely.

I propose a new Local Link service that would effectively serve the public from Knock airport to Sligo, incorporating vital stops that will serve those in need, such as at Bellaghy, Curry, Banada, Aclare, Toorlestraun, St. Attracta's secondary school, Tubbercurry, Cloonacool, Lavagh and Ballinacarrow, also attending Sligo. The success of rural link services in other areas is a testament to their efficiency in bridging the gap between rural communities and urban centres. When I raised this issue previously, I was informed that while the NTA had no current plan to provide services from Bellaghy to Sligo town, it would keep my request under review. Its concerns regarding unfair competition and the potential undermining of existing commercial services cannot justify the ongoing neglect of these communities. I cannot accept this position. It is our responsibility to ensure everyone, regardless of geographical location, has access to essential services. The Local Link service along the N17 corridor is not just an enhancement, but a necessity.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I thank Deputy Scanlon for the opportunity to address the issue of public transport along the N17 corridor. Deputy Scanlon and I are well aware of the specific issues and I agree with him that we need to find better solutions.

I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Transport. While the Minister has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority, NTA, which works with public transport operators, which deliver the services and have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters.

That said, I reassure the Deputy that the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. I am well aware, as a Government Deputy representing the same constituency as Deputy Scanlon, of the transport needs of people along the N17 corridor and it is the responsibility of the Government to address them. However, the Minister and his officials are not involved in the day-to-day operations; they provide the funding. In that context, in budget 2026, the Department of Transport secured €940 million of funding for public service obligation, PSO, and Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link services. That represents a significant increase of over €280 million in 2025. This funding will go towards funding and subsidising existing public transport services and €31 million has been secured for continued investment in our rural transport service provision in 2026, which is a 38% increase. Funding of rural transport services in the Donegal-Sligo-Leitrim region increased from €7 million to almost €11 million between 2023 and 2024. The Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan is a major five-year public transport initiative to increase connectivity outside our major cities and towns.

I have a lot of detail, which I will pass on to the Deputy, about increases in services, which are significant. Without going into detail, I can say that these increases in services have led to exponential growth in passenger numbers, with almost 8 million passenger journeys recorded across those services in 2024.

As for routes along the N17 corridor, the NTA has informed the Department that it currently has no plans to provide a Local Link service between Tubbercurry and Sligo. I understand how the Deputy will respond to this as I have received similar responses in the past. The Department points out that the connection between Tubbercurry and Sligo is currently served by Bus Éireann and Bus Feda, both on a commercial basis. If the NTA were to provide a publicly funded Local Link route on these routes, it could result in issues of unfair competition. It also states that if the NTA were to provide a new route between Tubbercurry and Sligo, it is extremely unlikely that it would receive road authority approval to stop at any locations outside of the settlements already served due to health and safety conditions.

I will respond further to the Deputy's supplementary question.

Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. I urge the Department to actively support a Local Link service along the route I outlined. It is essential we engage with the NTA and Local Link to conduct an engagement survey and take any necessary steps to advance this initiative. The current public transport options for students attending ATU Sligo are simply inadequate. Those students are left without a reliable service that would allow them to arrive on time at ATU or St. Angela's College. As it stands, for example, the Expressway route No. 64 from Galway is constantly delayed and can be between 30 minutes and one and a half hours late. This is a fact I can prove. I have the statistics. This means that students who rely on a bus are often unable to get to college on time. Moreover, the evening return journey is no better. Students who finish classes around 4.30 p.m. or 5 p.m. frequently find themselves stranded, waiting for an hour for the late-running return route No. 64 service from Derry. This service often does not arrive in Tubbercurry until 7.30 p.m or 8 p.m., a scenario that is unacceptable for students who have commitments, be they academic ones, part-time jobs or family responsibilities.

I have numerous testimonials from students and residents of the area highlighting the struggle they face due to these unreliable bus services. The stories reflect, not only the immediate inconvenience, but also the longer term implications for access to education and opportunities. As my home town is Ballymote, I know that there is a bus from Castlerea to Ballaghaderreen, Gorteen, Ballymote and on to Sligo. There are two large buses that collect people, particularly students, along the route. These students are delivered at the ATU in Sligo and St. Angela's College. It is a fantastic service. The two large buses are full every day on that route. I have no doubt whatsoever that if a similar route was selected and a bus could serve it, many hundreds of students in the area would use it. People cannot get accommodation in Sligo. They cannot afford it and this bus service would give an opportunity, particularly to students, to get in and out to attend their educational facilities.

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy for his comments. I agree with everything he said because I understand the local circumstances. I am responding on behalf of the Minister for Transport.

The Deputy will recognise that this Government recognises that transport connectivity is hugely important for people who live and work in rural Ireland. As recently as yesterday, the enhanced 563 service between Sligo and Drumahair was launched as part of the Connecting Ireland programme. The route provides peak-time and evening services, enhancing connectivity to Sligo University Hospital, the Atlantic Technological University, including St. Angela’s campus, and regional bus services. In February, the National Transport Authority, in partnership with Bus Éireann, launched the new S3 route as part of the Sligo town bus service expansion as well as significant improvements to both the S1 and S2 routes. These are real improvements. I have here the response from the Department, but I fully recognise what the Deputy is saying about students arriving in time to attend lectures at ATU and St. Angela’s and people getting to work in the mornings. That is absolutely crucial.

The Deputy mentioned student accommodation. I have said many times that having a bus that gets students to college or people to work on time would make such a difference for so many people who live in south Sligo. I have heard what the Deputy said. From personal experience, I agree about the need to service so many of the villages he named. I will not name them all because I will probably miss some of them, but I know them and I know the needs that exist. All I can say is that having heard the Deputy's strong case and given that I understand what he is talking about, I will make strong representations on his behalf to the Department.