Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

259. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will respond to the correspondence attached (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16794/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 the Rural Transport Programme management, which operates under the TFI Local Link brand.  This means that the issues raised in the correspondence to the Deputy are a matter for the NTA rather than the Department of Transport. 

For the Deputy’s information, I met a delegation from the Rural Transport Network on 22 March 2023, which included the person who contacted the Deputy. The delegation outlined its views regarding the future of TFI Local Link services, including the points raised in the details attached. As for next steps, the Department will continue to engage with the NTA and relevant Local Link representatives on this matter.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the procurement of TFI Local Link offices I have forwarded your email to the NTA for direct reply to you.