Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the options that are available to third-level students from County Wexford who have no direct bus route from Wexford to the third-level institutions in Limerick given that the private bus operator that was offering the service has cancelled it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50955/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, while the majority of public transport in Ireland is provided by the publicly-subvented bus and rail services funded through National Transport Authority's (NTA) public service obligation (PSO) programme, the public transport system also includes non-subvented bus services provided on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying size. Any decision taken by a private bus operator to withdraw its services is a commercial decisions for the company.

The NTA, has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport services contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators. When there is a withdrawal of services by an operator, the NTA undertakes an assessment as to whether the withdrawal will give rise to any loss of connectivity.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area I have forwarded 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.