Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Transport when the expected review of Dublin Bus services will be completed; if this review will not lead to a reduction in services; if the money for additional buses for Dublin Bus is available; if so, the reason this money has not been allocated to Dublin Bus; when this will happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9711/05]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Transport when he plans to provide the funding for the 150 promised extra buses for Dublin Bus under the national development plan; the reason he has failed to provide the promised extra buses to date; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of buses in the Dublin Bus fleet has remained static since 2001; his views on whether the provision of more buses will encourage more persons to use public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9676/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 46 together.

Significant investment has been made to date under the national development plan in acquiring new buses for Dublin Bus. In addition, significant Exchequer funding has been provided for a new depot for these buses. As a consequence, the capacity of the fleet has been increased by nearly 25% since 1999 and the company is now carrying approximately 150 million passengers per annum.

Given the demands on the multi-annual capital budget negotiated by my Department with the Department of Finance, prudent management requires that my Department is satisfied regarding the utilisation of existing resources before considering additional funding. In this context, the management of Dublin Bus is currently examining ways of maximising the utilisation of the bus fleet, in light of the significant investment made to date under the NDP in other modes such as Luas, suburban rail and the DART upgrade, and I am awaiting the outcome of this review. I am confident that the management of Dublin Bus is progressing this review as a priority.

Given the significant expansion of public transport in Dublin which has already taken place and is planned under A Platform for Change, it is appropriate, at this stage, to consider also how best to give effect to the expansion of the bus services having regard to the requirement for an integrated public transport network in the greater Dublin area. In addition, I am also of the view that both Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and private companies have a continuing role to play in meeting the expanding transport requirements of the greater Dublin area.