John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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30. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to confirm the intention of the National Transport Authority to licence and seek an operator of the 414 service between Galway and Bearna described as an existing route in the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34775/25]

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 recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in County Galway. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities.

Under Budget 2025, the Department has secured a funding package of €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 of new and enhanced bus services under programmes such as BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and new town services.

As with all plans, any additional funding for Connecting Ireland services would be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.

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 delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the roll-out of new and enhanced services, including in County Galway, 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.