Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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88. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a Carlow town bus service; if funding will be made available for this service in quarter 3 of 2021; his plans to provide rural bus services between New Ross, County Wexford, and Saint Mullin's, Tinnahinch and Borris, County Carlow, and Arklow, County Wicklow, to Carlow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14745/21]

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.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators.  

The Covid-19 health emergency brought a profound and swift shock to the public transport sector.  Public transport’s designation as an essential service throughout the pandemic means, that although fare revenues have collapsed, most of the cost of operations remains and must continue to be met in order to fulfil Government’s broader policy objectives.  Government support for all public transport services in 2020 amounted to over €620m.  For 2021 over €670m has been provided in funding in order to ensure that the existing level of public transport services, albeit at a higher cost, continue to operate in a safe manner.  By comparision, the level of PSO and Local Link funding provided in 2019 was in the region of €300m.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government does commit to the introduction of new services, including new town services, in order to improve public transport connectivity. I intend to pursue additional funding for such services in the context of the Programme for Government during 2021.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.  The NTA also has responsibility for local and rural transport, including the management of Local Link services. The NTA has undertaken a nationwide study to inform its approach to rolling out improved public transport across the country (excluding the GDA, 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 has now completed the first phase of consultation on its proposals, titled 'Connecting Ireland', with all Local Authorities and is now engaging with Regional Authorities and other key stakeholders. This will be followed by a wider public consultation in Q3 2021  prior to finalisation of the proposals by the NTA and submission to my Department.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities, I have passed the Deputy's question regarding specific services to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.