Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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377. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the delivery of the western Dublin orbital route. [18901/25]

Shane Moynihan (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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389. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on funding for the west Dublin orbital route. [19114/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 389 together.

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 for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

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 NTA, as they have responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.

New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered, with the first five phases of the Network Redesign rolled out in recent years. The first of these Spines—the H-Spine—launched in June 2021 and serves Howth and Malahide. The second Spine—the C-Spine serving the Lucan/Leixlip/Celbridge corridor —launched in November 2021.

Phase 3—the Northern Orbital routes—was rolled out in May 2022, connecting Blanchardstown with the Point and Finglas with Howth Junction. Phase 4, comprising the G-Spine and Route 60 connecting Ballyfermot with the Docklands via the City Centre, was launched in October 2022.

Phase 5a, the Western Orbitals, launched in June 2023 connecting the West of Dublin to Kildare. Phase 5b, the Southern Orbitals, was launched in November 2023 connecting the Southern and Western areas of Dublin.

Most recently, the E-Spine connecting Ballymun to Bray and L routes in Wicklow rolled out in January this year.

Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably, and I look forward to its full implementation.

In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's request to the NTA for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.