Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the approval of the BusConnects project as it relates to Shankill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4776/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered as part of BusConnects, with the first six phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. Phase 6a of the BusConnects Network Redesign roll-out, including the local L routes in Wicklow and the E-Spine connecting north Dublin to Wicklow which launched on 26 January 2025. The Network Redesign for the entire network will continue in the coming years.

The Government approved the Preliminary Business Case for infrastructure investment in 2022, allowing BusConnects Dublin to enter the planning system. The NTA subsequently submitted the planning applications for all sixteen proposed Core Bus Corridors (CBCs) bundled as twelve schemes to An Bord Pleanála from April 2022 to August 2023. Since December 2023, An Bord Pleanála has approved eleven schemes – including the Bray to City Centre Scheme which was approved with conditions in January 2025.

The Bray to City Centre CBC will support integrated sustainable transport usage through infrastructure improvements for active travel and the provision of enhanced bus priority measures for all services who will use the corridor.

The NTA have commenced procurement for the Liffey Valley and Ballymun/Finglas CBC schemes and the first of the CBCs is expected to enter construction in 2025. Subject to funding and no legal issues, the remaining corridors, including the Bray scheme, are expected to enter construction on a phased basis in the coming years.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's specific question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.