Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the 10% tendering of bus routes will be complete; and when the new services will commence. [30657/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered PSO services.

In line with its statutory functions, ​the NTA is currently managing three procurement competitions in relation to approximately 10% of current PSO routes operated by Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann.  These competitions are known as Dublin Metropolitan (currently Bus Átha Cliath), Dublin Commuter and Waterford (both currently Bus Éireann).

The procurement processes in respect of all three competitions are now nearing completion and I am informed that the NTA expects to announce preferred bidder status in relation to the Dublin Metropolitan competition during the summer, with the other two competitions reaching that stage by late summer/early autumn. Subject to the timing of the provision of depot facilities and other mobilisation activities the NTA expects services to commence in 2018.

As the Deputy knows, the PSO programme is represents a signficant expenditure of taxpayers' money and this year almost €263million has been allocated to the the NTA in relation to the programme. The tendering processes underway should allow us to capture potential benefits as regards value for money in terms of the use of taxpayers' money in securing the provision of public services, and I look forward to the NTA's successful progression of all three competitions.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the percentage of routes out to tender. [30658/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and EU Regulation 1370/2007, to determine the appropriate mix of directly awarded and competitively tendered PSO services.

In line with its statutory functions, ​the NTA is currently managing three procurement competitions in relation to approximately 10% of current PSO routes operated by Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann.  These competitions are known as Dublin Metropolitan (currently Bus Átha Cliath), Dublin Commuter and Waterford (both currently Bus Éireann).  I understand the NTA expects to announce preferred bidder status in respect of all three competitions over the summer and early autumn.

As I stated at the outset, decisions relating to the manner in which PSO services are awarded are a statutory function of the NTA under both Irish and EU legislation. I believe that the tendering processes underway should allow us to capture potential benefits as regards value for money in terms of the use of taxpayers' money in securing the provision of public services and I look forward to the NTA's successful progression of all three current competitions.