Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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84. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way the clear public interest justification has been solicited or assessed further to his statement in response to a previous Parliamentary Question (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32423/21]

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. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

As indicated in my response to the Deputy on 2nd June 2021 (PQ 30156/21) - owing to the impact of Covid-19 on passenger numbers and the associated drop in fare revenue, last June the Government decided to introduce new, temporary financial support for certain licensed services provided by commercial bus operators to ensure the continued operation of these essential services.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) on behalf of my Department, entered into contracts with the licensed bus sector to provide funding for routes where a clear public interest justification supports such intervention.

Given the NTA's statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.