Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

321. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected ridership in year one of the TFI Local Link route 530, Fermoy to Mallow starting 18 August and route 255 Kinsale to Cork west on 25 August; the integration with Cork BusConnects corridors and TFI 90-minute fare policy; and the metrics for first-last-mile connectivity in rural Cork for bike parking and on-demand links. [45423/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 has national responsibility for bus network redesign and integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local Link services and the rollout of services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. The NTA also has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services and integration in county Cork and fares, 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.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

322. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the projected ridership levels for Quarter 4 2025 of the TFI Local Link route 530 between Mallow and Fermoy; and if a follow-up survey on rural access to education and healthcare will be published to assess impact in the north Cork region. [45440/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in county Cork and Implementation reviews of Connecting Ireland, 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)
Link to this: Individually | In context

323. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will take into consideration the huge demand and interest in a new bus route in County Kerry by providing a bus service from Beaufort via Churchtown, St. Mary's of the Angels, Meanus and onto Killorglin and vice versa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45459/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport I recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in County Kerry. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to continue the roll-out of Connecting 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 BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and new town services.

As with all such measures, further expansion of Connecting Ireland routes will be considered in the upcoming Annual Estimates Process discussions.

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 rollout of new and enhanced services, including in County Kerry, 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.