David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

346. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the importance of public bus transport to regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10908/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government commits to reviewing public transport policy so as to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy. This commitment is restated as an action in Realising Our Rural Development-Action Plan for Rural Development and includes reference to the rural transport dimension, to ensure that it meets the needs of rural communities.

My Department therefore plans to undertake work later this year on the development of a Public Transport Policy Statement. This Statement will take cognisance of relevant initiatives in several other areas of public policy on which Government is deeply engaged including the preparation of a new National Planning Framework (NPF), in addition to the Action Plan for Rural Development.  The new NPF in particular will influence how best to achieve effective regional development.

In terms of funding, we must get the balance right in relation to regional and rural transport services and the associated investment. This must occur in the context of a step change in the overall funding of public transport. I will be ensuring that a strong case in this regard is made as part of the Mid-Term Review of the Government's Capital Plan in 2017.

While all of these considerations are important in terms of public transport and regional development, I'm clear as to whom public transport should be about- the ordinary citizen. Placing the citizen at the heart of our policy will allow us to realise the true potential of public transport and allow it to play its full role in promoting social progress, economic prosperity and effective regional development.