Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1375. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the scoring system used when tenders are being assessed for operators of the rural link service; the way in which the scoring process is weighted in terms of costing, age of vehicle, experience and local knowledge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54732/17]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1376. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the detail of the criteria in the tender process of the rural link scheme which ask that operators have a legal right to a substitute bus; the way in which his Department assesses this information; if there is a need for applicants to own their own vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54733/17]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1377. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the local link service monitors the usage of a primary vehicle by a successful applicant to the scheme; if there is a minimum requirement for usage time of the highlighted primary vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54734/17]

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1378. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to investigate the possibility of harmonising contracts in the rural link service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54735/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1375 to 1378, inclusive, together.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme funded by my Department, and which now operates under the "Local Link" brand.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities regarding Local Link services, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if the Deputy does not receive a reply within 10 working days.