Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the proposals, if any there are, to extend services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41361/25]

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 rural Ireland. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to continuing the roll-out of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

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.

As with all plans, any additional funding to improve public transport in rural areas would be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in counties Cavan and Monaghan, 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.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport whether he will fund additional community transport solutions in Kerry to allow autistic children greater access to community-based activities and integration opportunities, particularly in rural areas where public transport is limited. [41387/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and funding in relation to 'open' public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible, especially for disabled people, persons with disabilities and older people.

One of the key public transport priorities for this Government is the continued roll-out of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. The plan aims to connect people and places to provide access to employment, education, healthcare, retail, and leisure, either locally or via connections to larger centres that offer those opportunities.

A key part of Connecting Ireland is to implement non ‘fixed route’ (non-conventional) public transport services in highly remote, sparsely populated areas. ‘Smart DRT’ is the use of technology to provide demand responsive shared mobility services with no predefined routes or timetables. Services can be offered on demand and pre-planned. For rural areas, it has the potential to integrate ‘first and last mile’ connections, reduce vehicle emissions and mitigate some of the risks of scheduled services while providing access to more places for more people. As with all such measures, further potential expansion of these initiatives will be considered in the upcoming Annual Estimates Process discussions.

From a policy perspective, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach has established a unit within its Department which will focus on disability, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to a step change in supports and services required by disabled people. In my role as Minister for Transport, I will be engaging with that unit with an emphasis on addressing the wider issues such as ensuring that all public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers.

However, 'closed' transport services, for example dedicated disability transport supports, are outside of my 'open' public transport remit. Responsibility for policy and funding for disability transport services, lies with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability.