Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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330. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagements that he has had with the National Transport Authority on accelerating improvements on transport networks under the Connecting Ireland initiative; if the NTA identified the routes that will be accelerated; the time frame for the roll-out of the proposed improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30709/22]

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. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.

The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the TFI Local Link brand, and the implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

The Deputy will be pleased to learn that the Connecting Ireland consultation process wrapped up in December 2021, and the consultation report was published on the 3rd of May 2022. It is now available online on the NTA's website - www.nationaltransport.ie/connecting-ireland-rural-mobility-plan-public-consultation-report/.

Regarding the timeline, currently, delivery and improvement of routes identified through the Connecting Ireland consultation process are being prioritised to areas where the local population has increased due to an influx of Ukrainian individuals. Additional public transport services are being made available through an acceleration of network improvements, which include the provision of additional stops, route modifications, and delivering more services with the aim of increasing connectivity. These services will ensure better access for all those housed in our rural communities.  

Areas such as the Ring of Kerry will avail of such improvements, in practice catering for both existing demands as well as responding to the increased pressures on services where the local population has grown in response to the humanitarian crisis.

For further details on the rollout of the Connecting Ireland plan, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.