James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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115. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the CMATS and BusConnects projects in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34139/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) was developed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Cork City Council and Cork County Council. The strategy sets out a framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the Cork Metropolitan Area up to 2040. A key principle for CMATS is to reduce dependency on the private car within the Cork commuter area, while increasing the appeal of sustainable transport options, such as Cork Area Commuter Rail, BusConnects Cork, active travel, and light rail.

With regard specifically to BusConnects Cork, the NTA submitted the Preliminary Business Case for the programme to my Department in January 2025. Officials in my Department are currently reviewing this business case. In line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, the Preliminary Business Case is also going through an external assurance process and will be reviewed by the Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation’s Major Projects Advisory Group before being submitted to Cabinet for consideration. If approved by Cabinet at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines, this will allow the programme to enter the planning process.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in developing and implementing CMATS, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for an update on other projects and programmes being progressed as part of CMATS. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.