Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the delay in establishing Oireachtas committees has had any impact on the approval of funding for new Local Link bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21953/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I hold responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport.

The delay in establishing Oireachtas committees has had no impact on the approval of funding for new Local Link bus services, as with all plans any additional funding for Local Link services is subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.

Under Budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured a funding package of c. €658.442 million 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 services under programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland.

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 the rollout of public transport services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, 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.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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194. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department if aware of an application for funding approval for a Local Link bus service between Portlaw and Dungarvan in County Waterford, and the status of this application. [21954/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I hold responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport.

Under Budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured a funding package of c. €658.442 million 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 services under programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland.

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 public transport services in County Waterford, 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.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will engage with Bus Éireann and the National Transport Authority regarding the outsourcing of bus services to private operators where there is capacity for Bus Éireann to provide the service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21961/25]

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; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

Further, Bus Éireann's Expressway services, including X51 Galway to Shannon Airport summer services, is a commercial bus service and responsibility for the operation of the service is a matter for the company. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.