Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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311. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if any additional funding will be provided to expand Local Link services in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11295/25]

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.

Under Budget 2025, a funding package of c. €658.442 million of funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This package includes funding for the continuation of the various fare initiatives, such as the Young Adult Card, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Funding has also been provided to extend free child fares on PSO Services to include those aged 5 to 8-years old, and to support the roll-out new and enhanced bus and rail services under programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of new and enhanced services, including in County Offaly, 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.