Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I raise the immediate problem of public transport in our rural towns, an important matter about which I am sure other Members have also been contacted. An article in The Irish Times on Wednesday stated that 64% of licensed coach and bus services throughout the country are now not operational. We also heard this week that, thankfully, 250,000 people have returned to work since the March outbreak of Covid-19, which can help us to appreciate the seriousness of the problem I am raising.

I have been informed, on the basis of representations I made to the National Transport Authority, NTA, that discussions are ongoing with licensed bus operators regarding emergency funding. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport into the House to discuss this important matter that is affecting so many of our communities.We need funding to be released as quickly as possible. We all hope that many more of our citizens can return to work.

I am raising this issue because I have received many representations from individuals from different areas, particularly the town of Monasterevin, County Kildare. Monasterevin has had no bus service since March. In fairness, some bus services were arranged through local representations, but for only one day a week. Monasterevin needs regional investment and support. The local authority continues to allow new houses to be built in the town, many hundreds indeed in the past number of months. The social infrastructure and investment needed is simply not keeping pace. The town has been waiting for more than 15 years for a promised new secondary school. There are waiting lists for primary schools, which have also been promised new buildings. The great sports clubs and community centre in the town continue to provide outlets for many but these organisations need further investment and more community space.

I look forward to raising the concerns of the community of Monasterevin with the various Ministers we will debate with in the coming weeks and months. Towns such as Monasterevin are the heartbeat of this country and it is time that we invested in and protected them.