Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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164. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an NTA office will be created in Cork city to deal with transport infrastructure demands in the city and county. [14699/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

In that regard the Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland. In relation to our major cities that change will be driven by delivering upon the sustainable mobility projects and programmes outlined, or to be developed, in their metropolitan area transport strategies.

In Cork, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy provides the evidence based, strategic backdrop to investment in the coming years and this Government has committed to its implementation. My Department is funding the NTA's establishment of a BusConnects Cork office this year and while the location and organisation of NTA facilities and staff is a matter for the NTA, I am interested in exploring potential synergies that might exist with the Programme for Government's commitment to establish Regional Design Offices for cycling similar to the model already used in relation to national roads.