Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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80. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the promised increase on bus route 132 will finally happen, given the increased traffic volumes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63503/25]

Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The only public transport from most of west Wicklow to Dublin is the 132 bus. We have no trains. It travels only four times daily, with the last bus leaving Baltinglass at 3 o’clock and the last leaving Dublin at 5.30 p.m. Last April, I met officials of the NTA and was told a very significant increased service – representing a doubling – was happening later in the month. Nothing has happened since. This is exceedingly frustrating.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Timmins for the matter he has raised tonight. As Minister of State in the Department responsible for transport, I recognise the vital role that enhanced connectivity plays in supporting communities across rural Ireland, including in County Wicklow. The Deputy raised it during the last Question Time. I reassure the Deputy that improving the accessibility, reliability and affordability of rural public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the programme for Government.

The NTA plays a central role in achieving this as it has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. The NTA and the operators, including Bus Éireann, are in continuous dialogue regarding the operational needs, subject to funding and resource availability.

The NTA has advised the Department that plans to enhance route 132 are at an advanced stage. The Department of Transport sets the overall policy direction and funding framework for the delivery of public transport services nationwide, including Connecting Ireland, which has delivered over 180 new or improved services since 2022, connecting more than 240 towns and villages to the public transport network. The 2026 PSO funding allocation of €940 million represents a significant 43% uplift in the allocation from last year. This allocation will allow existing public transport services to operate reliably and sustainably throughout the year in the face of growing passenger demand and increased operational costs. In addition, a further €31 million has been secured for rural transport next year, a 38% increase on last year’s funding. This ensures the continued delivery of vital services across rural Ireland to meet demand, especially for the communities most dependent on these services.

Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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All those things are wonderful around the country, but they are having zero impact on the 132 service. After much correspondence, the NTA is now saying this cannot progress as the Department of Transport has placed a hold on uncommitted expenditure for new public transport services. Can this issue be resolved? Many people have approached me saying they would use the service but cannot because of the limited timetable. The last bus leaves Baltinglass at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and the last leaves Dublin at 5.30 p.m. In fact, there is now a proposal to abolish a Thursday service from Carnew, which joins this route in Baltinglass. Therefore, the service is actually being reduced.

The Department advises that it and the NTA are currently engaging in relation to funding the PSO programme. The Minister is saying funding is not a problem. To say I am deeply frustrated is an understatement. Can we please get to the bottom of this?

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy’s frustration. He is right to be frustrated because it is important that we have connectivity. I am informed that the enhancement of route 132 is planned under Connecting Ireland. Operational decisions regarding service delivery are the responsibility of the NTA in collaboration with transport operators, subject to funding and resource availability. I will happily sit down with the Deputy and talk to him again about this because it is important that we enhance connectivity, do not discommode people further and allow people the convenience of transport connectivity and accessibility. As the Deputy knows quite well, post-budget discussions around the allocation of funding for the PSO programme are ongoing. It entails regular engagement between the NTA and operators on resource needs. I am acutely aware of the issues the Deputy has raised with me both here in the House and in private, and I will certainly work with him to ensure a service between Carnew and Baltinglass so the people of Baltinglass will not be discommoded further.

I do not have positive news for the Deputy right now, but I will sit down with him and talk to him further on the matter, because it is important that we enhance Connecting Ireland for the people of the area he has spoken about.

Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State. I welcome the possibility of engaging with him further on the matter.

Another issue I have had is that many people contacted me complaining about the reliability of the service due to cancellations. Recently, I received a text describing how 20 people waited at the bus stop for the 9.40 a.m. 132 bus to Dublin, but it did not show up again. That is 20 people whose day and plans were ruined. If there is an issue, can a back-up plan be put in place? Another issue, which I have witnessed myself, one that is unforgivable, is buses departing earlier than the scheduled time and people missing them as a result. There must be zero tolerance for this.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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There is no excuse for people missing buses or buses leaving before the scheduled time. It goes back to Deputy Currie’s point about real-time information. The important point is that we have an increase in demand. There is a real commitment by the Government to ensure that the services we operate, particularly in the areas the Deputy mentioned, meet the need. Again, as I said to the Deputy, I will engage with the Deputy, the NTA and Local Link to ensure that we see services and accessibility as part of what he spoke about tonight. It is not about discommoding people but rather, offering accessibility and connectivity, as well as having that choice which we have not seen up to now.

As Minister of State with responsibility for rural transport, it is a core priority of mine and of the Department to ensure that commitments in terms of enhancing rural transport are met. I will happily engage with the Deputy further on the matter.