Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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90. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the future expansion of Dublin Bus, in view of the need to encourage more people to use public transport and to ensure that the bus service is reliable and frequent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6784/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal.

To support this objective, under Budget 2024, a funding package of c. €613.463m has been secured for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and Local Link services. This package includes funding for the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the extension of the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services to include 24-and-25-year-olds, and the continuation of the 90-minute fare until the end of 2024. Funding has also been secured to support the continued roll-out of new and enhanced bus and rail services this year, including the continued roll-out of the BusConnects programme in our cities, which Dublin Bus services in the Greater Dublin Area.

The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority (NTA). The NTA works with the public transport operators, who deliver the services and have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. As such, I referred the Deputy's query regarding service reliability and frequency to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport what steps he is taking to improve the coordination and communication between Transport for Ireland and Dublin Bus for the TFI App, in order that commuters can have access to timely and accurate information about their bus routes and schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6785/24]

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 issues raised in relation to the TFI Live App are a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Dublin Bus. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive replies within ten working days.