Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the programme for Government commitment to ensure that private bus operators and the National Transport Authority operate the free travel scheme on all publicly licensed bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61923/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters of public transport operators, including those related to the operation of commercial bus services, their fare structures, or the acceptance of free travel passes. Further, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has no direct involvement with the free travel scheme on commercial services either.

The Programme for Government commitment aims to maintain the entitlement for the Free Travel Scheme for those aged over 66, and to work with private bus operators and the NTA to ensure that the Free Travel Scheme is available on all publicly licensed bus routes.

While all public service obligation (PSO) transport services, including rural Local Link services, provide free travel to eligible pass holders, my understanding is that only some commercial operators have opted to participate in the Free Travel Scheme.

Those private bus companies that have chosen to opt into the Free Travel Scheme are reimbursed for carrying non-fare paying passengers at a discount to reflect the 'fares foregone' nature of the scheme.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Programme for Government commitment to roll out BusConnects, in particular the E-Spine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61924/22]

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 the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including BusConnects Dublin.

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.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the roll-out of 24-hour bus routes in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61925/22]

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 question in relation to the status of the rollout of 24-hour bus routes in Dublin, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.