Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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790. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the circumstances regarding an application by Bus Éireann to the NTA to amend its licence for route 52 which it commenced operating in June 2018; if he has received correspondence in connection with the route since April 2018; if so, if he will publish the correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30646/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for policy and funding in relation to public transport.

The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Any correspondence or previous parliamentary questions received by my Department on this issue were referred to the NTA. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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791. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department is paying a subsidy either directly or via the NTA to a transport operator on the 52 route; the amount being paid; the conditions attached to the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30647/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, Bus Éireann operates 3 types of services - provincial city services, rural stage carriage services and intercity services. Bus Éireann receives Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding under contract with the National Transport Authority (NTA) for the provincial city and rural stage carriage services.

The no. 52 route is part of the company's Expressway intercity service. These are commercial services operated in competition with private operators on main trunk routes and are licensed by the NTA. By their very nature, commercial services cannot and do not receive any PSO funding from the Exchequer.