Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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13. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve public transport provision in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35779/20]

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

It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP).

The NTA seeks to deliver an efficient, accessible and integrated public transport system in rural and urban Ireland. Public transport in rural areas of the country is primarily provided by bus and coach services, as well as rail and SPSV services (Taxi, Hackney and Local Area Hackney). The NTA funds public bus services in rural areas such as County Longford through its public service obligation (PSO) arrangements, mainly with Bus Éireann, and also through the Rural Transport Programme, which now operates under the Local Link brand. Commercial bus operators also provide key transport services in the county including Bus Éireann Expressway services 22 and 23, M4 Direct, Farrelly's Coaches and Geraghty Travel, among others.

From a policy perspective, the Programme for Government contains a number of commitments in relation to improving public transport services in rural areas. Among the measures being prioritised are:

- is a Sustainable Rural Mobility Plan to ensure settlements over a certain size can connect to the national public transport system,

- expanding the Local Link rural transport service, and

- prioritising public transport projects that enhance regional and rural connectivity.

Last week I published a report of a public consultation process which was undertaken by the Department between November 2019 and February 2020 on a review of sustainable mobility policy, including the issue of rural transport. I intend to develop a new policy framework for the next 10 years that can provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government right across the sustainable mobility programme. Our Programme for Government commitments in relation to public transport in rural areas will be progressed in the context of that new policy statement.

In relation to improved services for rural areas, the NTA has undertaken a nationwide study to inform its approach to rolling out improved public transport across the country (excluding the Greater Dublin Area, Regional Cities and Large Towns) by providing better connections between villages and towns by linking them with an enhanced regional network connecting cities and regional centres nationwide.

Arising from this study, I am advised that the NTA is starting on a two phase consultation on its proposals, titled 'Connecting Ireland'; this engagement will begin with local authority officials and other key stakeholders on the main concepts of Connecting Ireland, and will be followed by a wider public consultation in Q2 2021 on the detailed proposals.