Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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270. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which restructuring within Bus Éireann can be undertaken with a view to bringing costs into line with targets without major disruption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6383/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann is developing plans to address its financial position. The Company is currently loss-making and these losses are not sustainable. In developing its plans, the Company is seeking to ensure a sustainable future for it in the years ahead; however, those plans remain under development and the company are seeking to engage with its employees on its proposals to secure the company's future. I am firmly of the belief that difficult issues such as this can only be resolved through constructive and realistic engagement between the company and its employees and I encourage both sides to engage on the matter. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has assured me that it will work with local communities to maintain an appropriate level of public transport connectivity in the event of any reconfiguration of existing services.  The NTA will ensure rural communities maintain public transport connectivity even if there are any changes to Bus Éireann Expressway services.