Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the up-to-date position on the reviewing of the proposals from the public consultation regarding the expansion of route 233 bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22801/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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Deputy, I would like to reassure you that as per the new Programme for Government, this Government is fully committed to increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities and to enhancing and expanding our public transport services provision across the country.

To support this objective, under Budget 2025, the Department secured €658.442 million of funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) services, including Local Link, provided by State operators and those under contract with the NTA.

Specifically, in relation to the expansion of route 233 bus service which is part of the phased implementation of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, I can confirm that the Service Planning team in the NTA are currently reviewing the proposed route 233 amendments and will be informing the Department once this process is complete.

There has been considerable investment in timetabled, public transport services in the rural parts of Cork. In terms of Local Link services in Cork, there are a range of services in operation including both timetabled regular services and flexible, "door-to-door" demand responsive services. These allow passengers to travel from their local village or town for business, shopping, healthcare or to connect in with the national bus and train network.

The Department will continue to engage with the NTA to monitor the review of route 233 bus service operating in the communities in Cork.