John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1228. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the policy he is pursuing or implementing relative to Bus Éireann and public transport services for rural Ireland; his plans to have a public transport system that gives connectivity throughout the country thus expanding rather than reducing the existing service; his views on the reduction of services through Castlecomer, County Kilkenny and the intention of Bus Éireann to close the services through south Kilkenny, at Thomastown and Callan; the cost to the State of the public service obligation, the school transport scheme and the free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13832/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​I must again be clear that the problems arising in Bus Éireann stem from its commercial Expressway routes which are actually a relatively small part of the overall public transport system in rural Ireland. The vast majority of public transport passenger journeys in rural Ireland are taken on PSO services which are funded by the Exchequer or on commercial bus services operated by a variety of private operators.

In relation to PSO services, these services are actually expanding and improving rather than reducing. In Budget 2017 I secured an additional 11% in funding levels which means that this year my Department will provide almost €263 million to the National Transport Authority (NTA) to fund PSO transport services. This increased level of funding is assisting with the delivery of new and improved services which is reflected in the increases in passenger numbers across the PSO network in rural Ireland.

In addition, Budget 2017 also increased the amount of funding available to support the Rural Transport Programme which will assist with the further improvement of existing services and the development of new services under that Programme. A key feature of the Programme's development is greater integration with other public transport services and enhancing public transport connectivity in rural Ireland overall.

I am not aware of any proposed reductions in services through either Castlecomer or Thomastown as referred to by the Deputy. Castlecomer is currently served by a number of commercial bus services provided by different private operators. Thomastown is served by a mixture of commercial bus services, PSO bus services and of course PSO supported rail services.

Of course I am aware that Bus Éireann has made proposals relating to its commercial X7 Expressway service which currently calls at Callan. While those service changes have not yet been introduced, the Deputy will be aware that the NTA has published its assessment of the impact of the proposed withdrawal of the X7. That NTA assessment notes that Callan will continue to be served by another commercial bus service. In terms of the broader regional impact of the withdrawal of the X7 Expressway, the NTA has proposed some timetabling adjustments to a Rural Transport Programme route to ensure continued regional connectivity with that other service.

The Deputy rightly notes that in addition to the Exchequer funding provided under my Department's PSO programme, funding is also made available through programmes managed by other Departments. In relation to the Department of Education and Skills' School Transport Scheme, I am informed by that Department that it provided €156 million to Bus Éireann in 2016 in relation to the company's administration of the Scheme.  The Department of Social Protection recently stated to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport that it expects approximately €77 million in funding will this year be provided to operators in relation to the operation of the Free Travel Scheme.