Written answers
Thursday, 18 April 2024
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Bus Services
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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148. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus service from Leixlip to Blanchardstown hospital can be facilitated or incorporated into current routes to facilitate elderly people from this area getting to and from medical appointments, who cannot always drive and may experience mobility issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17271/24]
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, scheduling or planning 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. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects Dublin programme.
For the information of the Deputy, my remit and that of the NTA relates to 'open' public transport services, available to everyone. However, 'closed' or dedicated transport services, for example non-emergency hospital only transport services, are outside of that public transport remit.
In light of the NTA's responsibility for the provision of 'open' public transport services, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
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