John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason residents in Dublin south west appear to be pushed to the back of the queue for the major spine upgrades, and the A spine due to replace the 15 is yet to be rolled out, and appears similarly delayed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10380/25]

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, with the first six phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. Most recently, the E-Spine connecting Ballymun to Bray and L routes in Wicklow rolled out in January.

The redesign of the entire network, including the A Spine, connecting Swords to Rathmines/Terenure via the City Centre, will continue in the coming years subject to funding and driver availability.

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

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider reviewing the ten-year requirement for special-purpose vehicles where older vehicles are roadworthy as per the NCT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10385/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Act 2013 - 2016. The Minister has no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.

As you are aware, the Programme for Government 2025 commits to 'extend the ten-year vehicle limit for taxis registered in 2015, offering another year of service.' In line with this commitment, the NTA intends to make a regulation stating that standard taxis which were first registered in 2015 will be permitted to renew their vehicle for a further one year beyond the current limit of the 10th anniversary of the date of first registration – i.e. they would be permitted to operate the vehicle to the 11th anniversary of the date of first registration, which will arise during 2026.

Under the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 (as amended), a consultation period is required in relation to any new regulations. The public consultation regarding this proposed regulation opened on 18 February 2025 and remains open until 12 March 2025. Anyone may participate in the consultation and view the draft regulation by accessing the following link:consult.nationaltransport.ie/en/content/taxi-public-consultations-taxi-regulation-taxi-maximum-permissible-age-regulations-2025.