Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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250. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the Airport Hopper bus service; if it has ceased operation; the date on which it will be back in operation; the frequency of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6370/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and is responsible for the licensing of public bus passenger services under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009.

While most public transport in Ireland comprises the bus and rail services funded through the NTA’s public service obligation (PSO) programme, there is part of the national public transport system that comprises non-subvented bus services, which are run on a commercial basis by bus and coach businesses of varying sizes throughout the country. As a commercial operator, any decisions taken by Airport Hopper regarding routes scheduling and timetabling are a matter for the company, the NTA has no powers to refuse an application from an operator to reduce or withdraw services on a commercial route.

Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply, as the licensing authority they may be able to provide information on if the company have ceased operating the route. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.