Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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134. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include the N15 in the revised National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9327/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.

Within the overall context of Project Ireland 2040, the NDP was developed to underpin the successful implementation of the National Planning Framework (NPF). This provides the strategic and financial framework for the National Roads Programme for the period from 2021 to 2030. Therefore, the focus of TII's activities is being directed towards the development of the major national road improvement schemes that are included in the NDP, along with the maintenance of the existing national road network.No projects on the N15 road between Sligo and Donegal were identified for development during the period of the current NDP. However, officials in my Department will engage closely with TII in considering a variety of potential projects and programmes as part of the NDP review which is expected to occur this year.

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve public transport in rural areas. [9406/25]

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. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in rural areas, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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136. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update and timeframe for the introduction of dedicated transport police; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9418/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Anti-social behaviour is a broad societal issue, to which public transport is unfortunately not immune, and it is those passengers and staff who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents that may occur on the network.

There is a strong commitment under the Programme for Government to create a Transport Security Force under the NTA, which would operate and have similar powers to Airport Police and Customs Officers. Work in my Department is starting around identifying the necessary legislative proposals to progress this, in conjunction with the NTA. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to provide safe, sustainable public transport.