Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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404. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the progress of rural public transport initiatives in County Clare, including bus and rail services. [46967/25]

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 Clare. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to continue the roll-out of Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and to act on the recommendations from the All-Island Strategic Rail Review to improve connectivity across the island of Ireland.

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 new and enhanced bus services under programmes such as Connecting Ireland.

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. Specific rail works and progress are a matter for Irish Rail, in conjunction with the NTA.

In light of the NTA and Irish Rail's responsibilities I have referred your question to the NTA and Irish Rail for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.