Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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28. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on ensuring Castletownbere is classified as a larger town within the Connecting Ireland plan to ensure the Beara Peninsula is assigned the necessary scale of routes. [55633/22]

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 Rural Mobility Plan, including in the Beara peninsula, 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.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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29. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Connecting Ireland initiative, including an overview of the time and status of procurement for services for rural areas scheduled to be implemented in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55710/22]

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 Rural Mobility Plan, including the rollout of services in 2023, 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.