John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1879. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for investment in rural routes; his further plans to ensure that there will be transport services in rural Ireland to accommodate local communities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28241/17]

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

I am fully aware of the important role the bus fulfils in ensuring public transport connectivity for rural communities.  This Government has supported that role through the 11% cumulative increase I secured in Budget 2017 for both the Public Service Obligation (PSO) programme and the Rural Transport Programme.  That increase means that in 2017 approximately €277million is available to the National Transport Authority (NTA) to support the delivery of these important programmes, which underpin the delivery of taxpayer funded bus services across rural Ireland.  I have committed publicly to further increasing the funding of those programmes in the future as resources allow.  Publicly funded bus services in rural Ireland are expanding and improving and that is reflected in the increases in passenger numbers, particularly within Bus Éireann's PSO network. That Exchequer financial support is supported at a policy level by the commitment given within the Programme for a Partnership Government to review public transport policy so as to ensure services are sustainable into the future and are meeting the needs of a modern economy.  I am glad to say that this commitment is also reflected within the actions contained within Realising our Rural Potential - Action Plan for Rural Development which specifically references the rural transport dimension and the needs of rural communities.

The restructuring of the Rural Transport Programme, involving the establishment of 17 Local Link offices, has positioned the Programme to better integrate with other public transport services.  It also provides a solid base to expand or adapt services to meet current and future identified needs.  A total of 21 new regular commuter bus services were developed in 2016 including the addition of more regular services. The additional funding of €2.19m provided to the Programme in 2017 allows for further improvement of existing services and the development of new services.

The NTA has the statutory powers available to it to ensure continued public transport connectivity for communities who may lose services in cases where a commercial operator introduces services changes. The NTA has used those powers in the past and will do so again in the future if required.