Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

The Government recognises that transport connectivity is important for people who live and work in Ireland, including Kildare, and is key to bringing life back into our villages, towns and urban centres.

To deal with the specific point the Senator raised, the proposed route 888 linking Allenwood to Athy is expected to launch next month. Discussions between the NTA and Local Link Kildare South Dublin on a route connecting Suncroft to Kildare-Newbridge are now at an advanced stage and the NTA expects to finalise those in the coming weeks. I note the point the Senator raised about a Newbridge-to-Maynooth service but, as I said, a review of the network is under way and this needs to take account of a number of commercial bus operators operating between Newbridge and Maynooth currently. I will bring the point she raised back to the Minister for Transport and the Department.

The Department of Transport, the NTA and the operators are working to ensure the optimal deployment of resources across the public transport network to match passenger demand.