Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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27. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the costs to date of the BusConnects programme; his views on whether the €90 million spent to date under non-bus vehicle-related headings is good value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18883/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy is aware, public transport infrastructure projects on the scale of BusConnects require a planning and design phase that can take several years and involve the input of a wide range of people and stakeholders.

The planning and design phase is essential in order to achieve buy-in and support for the project and to bring it successfully through the planning permission process and then on to the construction phase, prior to delivery for the public.

I understand the National Transport Authority has provided the Deputy with the total cost to end 2021 of the BusConnects programme for the Greater Dublin Area. The amount referred to by the Deputy was incurred on the BusConnects programme as part of that planning and design phase and is a necessary part of the overall programme costs.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has concerns in relation to the awarding of new bus routes to a company (details supplied) by the National Transport Authority, given that the company has operated reduced services on many of its existing networks as a result of staff shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18884/22]

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. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to procure public transport services by means of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the awarding of new bus routes to Go Ahead Ireland to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.