Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport how much was expended on transport of persons in receipt of temporary protection, per month, since February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56478/23]

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.

I wish to advise the Deputy that since 2022 my Department has provided funding to the NTA for the provision of emergency public transport services for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) housed in remote parts of Ireland, as a result of fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This funding for Ukrainian BOTPs is provided on a quarterly basis to the NTA. In 2022, the total amount of this funding was €1.287m and the total amount in 2023 was €2.656m. The allocation for 2024 is €4 million.

Routes identified through the Connecting Ireland consultation process are being prioritised to provide emergency public transport services to those Ukrainian BOTPs housed in rural or isolated locations to ensure better access to our local communities. This is being achieved through an acceleration of network improvements, including additional stops, route modifications, and more services with the aim to increase connectivity. To date over 100 new and enhanced services have been rolled out nationwide under Connecting Ireland.