Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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184. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will set aside increased funding in respect of the rural public transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56651/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is strongly committed to improving public transport services in rural areas and to piloting new transport initiatives for people of all ages and abilities living there.

My Department and the NTA are supporting this by providing increased funding for enhancing TFI Local Link services, for both regular "timetabled" services, and "door-to-door" demand responsive services as well. There has been a substantial increase in funding allocated for Local Link services since 2016, going from €12.2 million in 2016 to €44.5m in 2023. In 2024, over €25m has been allocated to the Rural Transport Programme alone. The NTA transport planning team are currently finalising decisions regarding the best utilisation of these funds, and the timing of the roll-out of services.

The additional funding has enabled the introduction of over 100 new Rural Regular Service routes, as well as improvements to DRT services. The new Rural Regular Services operate at least five times per day over a 5,6,7 days per week schedule. They are specifically designed to ensure connectivity with other public transport services and better linkage of services between and within towns and villages. Additionally, we will also be exploring the expansion of non-conventional modes of transport to give the public a well-rounded transport offering.

In addition, €10m was allocated in 2023 to the NTA for the rollout of Phase 2 of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and the introduction of the new town service in Carlow. Over 100 new and enhanced services have been introduced in rural and regional areas since Connecting Ireland started in 2022.

I also 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. The total amount provided in 2023 was €2.6m.