Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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14. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the 20/X20 Bus Éireann service will be reinstated; if not, if a similar service connecting the eastern part of County Galway will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33039/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Covid-19 has had a profound impact on the public transport sector with significant falls in passenger numbers and associated drops in fare revenues; in this context, the Bus Éireann Board, following extensive analysis and work, took the commercial decision to consolidate its Expressway network in September 2020. This decision impacted four routes including the 20/X20 Dublin/Galway service which ceased operations on 28/07/2021.

In circumstances where a commercial operator cease operating a specific route, the National Transport Authority (NTA) undertakes an examination to determine whether, with the discontinuation of the commercial service, it is necessary for a replacement PSO service to be introduced to ensure no loss of connectivity to the travelling public. This process includes an assessment of the level of demand for public transport services in the affected area, an evaluation of whether existing PSO services can be reconfigured to meet any shortfall, or whether it is necessary to competitively tender for the provision of services.

Due to the decision by Bus Éireann to cease operating the X20 route, the NTA completed a detailed assessment of the X20 corridor and have determined that despite Expressway’s withdrawal, sufficient connectivity is provided by the remaining operators and the public service obligation is adequately met by other rail and bus services, thereby negating the need for any further intervention on the route.

Given the NTA's statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the bus network in Galway city will be expanded to service the upper Ballymoneen Road or the Letteragh Road, given the development in those two areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33040/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the 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 and for the scheduling of those services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question regarding the possible expansion of the bus network in Galway city to service the upper Ballymoneen Road or the Letteragh Road, given the development in those two areas, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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16. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason that private bus operators contracted to Bus Éireann that do not receive a diesel rebate or VAT back; if bus operators will be included and receive a diesel rebate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33064/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to the School Transport Scheme which is a matter for the Minister for Education.

However I am advised by her officials that School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021. In the region of 5,800 vehicles are operated by private contractors under contract to Bus Éireann for the provision of school transport scheme services.

With regard to the increasing price of fuel in recent months, the Department of Education has been liaising with other relevant departments and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this matter.  The Minister for Education is pleased to confirm that a contribution at a total cost of €5.3 million will be provided to address the impact of the increased cost of fuel for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 of 2022 for contractors operating on the Department’s school transport scheme.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the necessary funding to the National Transport Authority to enable the 33B bus to service the Burrow, Portrane, County Dublin on all bus journeys to and from Swords given that this would provide a connection to the railway station and encouraged the use of public transport which is Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33068/22]

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 in Ireland. Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA).  The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. 

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the provision of  funding to enable the 33B bus to service the Burrow, Portrane, County Dublin on all bus journeys to and from Swords, to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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18. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps that he is taking to ensure that all public buses or buses operating public service contracts have the capacity to carry bikes. [33180/22]

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.  The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the procurement of the national bus fleet. 

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.