Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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346. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to confirm that the proposed 81 bus route, which will replace the existing 15A route, will be rolled out in conjunction with the implementation of the A-Spine of the BusConnects network; that the 15A route will remain in-situ until that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46094/25]

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, Dublin Bus.

In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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347. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding provided to the NTA for the purchase of new electric buses in 2023, 2024 and 2025; whether he intends on increasing this funding for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46095/25]

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 statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision and upgrade of public bus fleets.

As Deputy may be aware, the Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 20198, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. The transition to a zero-emission urban bus fleets is currently programmed to take up until 2035, based on replacement of non-zero-emission buses as they reach the end of their efficient service lives.

Electric buses produce no emissions and offer reduced interior and exterior noise levels compared to diesel buses. This transition to electric buses will result in cleaner air and less noise pollution in areas where the buses are operating, while also providing a quieter journey for passengers. Electric buses are currently rolling out across Ireland in areas such as Dublin, Limerick and Athlone.

With regard to funding for 2026, the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030, and the Government’s overall capital expenditure ceilings to 2035, were confirmed in the recently published National Development Plan Review 2025. My Department is reviewing key programmes and projects in the transport sector in the context of that capital funding envelope and a decision on a programme of delivery with this level of capital investment will be made in the coming months.

With regard to funding for the purchase of new electric buses in 2023, 2024 and 2025, I note the NTA's responsibility for the matter. I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.