Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 6 July 2021, if a commitment will be made to provide the funding necessary for the public transport plans outlined by the NTA; if the funding will be provided sooner than is currently planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39553/21]

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.

My primary focus at present is to ensure that the NTA receives sufficient public service obligation (PSO) funding to maintain the existing level of public transport services in 2021. The Programme for Government commits to the introduction of new services, including new town services, in order to improve public transport connectivity. I am currently pursuing additional funding for such services in the context of the Programme for Government.