Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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212. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional funding has been sought by LocalLink services to allow them provide transport for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17859/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware, a whole of Government approach is being adopted regarding the Ukrainian crisis. In line with this approach, in my own Department, we have established a high-level group to monitor and respond as appropriate to the crisis and consider the role that the transport sector could play.

In this context, it was agreed that free travel would be provided for newly arriving Ukrainian refugees on any Public Service Obligation (PSO) or Local Link public transport service from port of entry to their end destination. This initiative is being applied across all PSO contracted services, including commercial bus services included in emergency PSO contracts, and those services that are part of the emergency commercial bus operator grant scheme. The situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis and will be reviewed at the end of April.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand. In light of the NTA's responsibilities regarding the provision of Local Link services, I have referred your question to the NTA for a direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.