John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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260. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the current structure and scheduling of the 233 bus service from Macroom to Cork, in light of the fact that the route operates as several distinct sub-routes under one timetable, which creates confusion and reduces reliability; if he will consider splitting the route into distinct services such as the 233A, 233B, etc., with clearer schedules and increased frequency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38735/25]

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. 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.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response has not been received within ten working days.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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261. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans to increase the frequency of buses on the 233 route that serves Macroom, particularly to address four-hour gaps in the current timetable, which significantly limit accessibility and usability for residents who depend on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38736/25]

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. 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.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response has not been received within ten working days.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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262. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request Bus Éireann to include additional stops within Macroom, such as near Millstreet Cross and Masseytown, to better serve the town’s main residential areas; if he will consider ensuring local stops reflect where the population is most concentrated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38737/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.

There is a commitment under the Programme for government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport infrastructure.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if a response has not been received within 10 working days.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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263. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support Bus Éireann or the National Transport Authority to introduce a later service on the 233 route from Cork to Macroom, beyond the current last departure at 22:30 or 10.30 p.m., to accommodate students, shift workers and others who travel into Cork for evening activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38738/25]

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. 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, in this case, Bus Éireann.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if a response has not been received within ten working days.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review the pricing structure on the 40 route between Macroom and Cork, in particular the €7 fare for students with a Leap card, which is a significantly higher fare than for comparable journeys in the Dublin commuter belt; if he will commit to a fare reduction in line with other urban and peri-urban routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38739/25]

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 route 40, is a commercial bus service and responsibility for the operation of the service and the fares charged are 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 a reply has not been received within ten working days.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will examine how stop placement decisions are made in regional towns, such as Macroom, where the main bus stop is located far from many residential areas, thereby limiting access to public transport for those with mobility issues or without private vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38740/25]

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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops/shelters nationally.

There is a commitment under the Programme for government to ensure that public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers and a commitment to work with local authorities and national bodies to improve public transport infrastructure.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply has not been received within 10 working days.