Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

166. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget allocation for the rural transport programme in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of passengers carried in each of the years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42961/20]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

167. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passengers carried in each county under the rural transport programme in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42962/20]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

168. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of individual buses assigned to the rural transport programme by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42963/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 166, 167 and 168 together.

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 which operates under the Local Link brand.

As I advised the Deputy in my answer to his Question (Ref 18190/20) of 28th July 2020, my Department provides aggregate funding for Local Link services to the NTA. Since 2018 the total annual allocation for Local Link services has included funding for rural regular services, funded from Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding. In my reply of 28th July, I advised the Deputy that the total allocations for the years in question, including the aforementioned PSO allocation for the years since 2018, are

2016 - €12.2m

2017 - €14.4m

2018 - €19.5m

2019 - €21.0m

2020 - €23.4m

In light of the NTA's responsibilities regarding Local Link services, I have referred your Questions in relation to the number of passenger journeys for this period, for 2019 by county, and the number of buses assigned by county, to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.