Written answers

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Bus Services

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if more urgency will be given to rolling out a bus route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14773/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon 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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the role in relation to the roll-out of the Brown bus route, to the NTA for direct reply.  I ask the Deputy to please advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.

Photo of Claire KerraneClaire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a support similar to that being introduced for hauliers will be introduced for bus drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14787/22]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon 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.

Licensed bus and coach operators are an integral part of the overall public transport system particularly in areas which are not covered by existing public service bus and rail services. In recognition of this, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Government have provided temporary financial supports for certain licensed commercial services with a view to protecting capacity across the public transport sector throughout the crisis.

The temporary support was initially introduced for a period of 6-months in June 2020, however owing to the continued impact of Covid-19 on passenger numbers and the associated drop in fare revenue, these supports have been extended a number of times. I am aware of the issues facing the sector and I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I recently approved an extension of the supports for a further 3 months, up to the 30 June 2022.

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