Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if BusConnects in Cork will be a cashless system. [46245/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The BusConnects programme is comprised of a number of elements, one of which is the Next Generation Ticketing project. The Next Generation Ticketing project seeks to incorporate the latest developments in account-based ticketing technology and allow customers to pay in a number of convenient ways, including through the use of debit/credit cards, mobile phones and wearable technology. While these alternative payment options will be facilitated and can help to speed up journey times, the removal of cash payments on buses does not form part of the project.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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51. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on the implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan; and the improvements that have been made in County Mayo. [46351/22]

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 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 delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland, including in County Mayo, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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52. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions that he plans to take to address the ongoing service issues in the Greater Dublin Area, with specific regard to the bus services operated by an organisation (details supplied) including the 33A, 33B, and 102 services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46139/22]

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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to ongoing service issues in the Greater Dublin Area, with bus services operated by Go-Ahead Ireland including the 33A, 33B, and 102 services, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.