Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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127. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the current rural transport programme contacts from the existing five years to an extended period of eight to ten years to allow for capacity building and continuous professional development of staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18109/25]

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.

Consultants were appointed by the Department of Transport in Q4 2023 to conduct a review of the existing administrative, operational, legislative, and funding structures of rural public transport service provision via the Rural Transport Programme, to evaluate its current effectiveness and make recommendations on the future long-term structure of rural public transport provision. The Report is currently being considered within the Department.

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 TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for securing the provision of public transport services, 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.