Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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187. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the Cork metropolitan area transport strategy and BusConnects projects in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50305/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As 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 BusConnects Cork, and the development of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040.

Within this policy framework, the CMATS 2040 has been developed by the NTA in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Cork City Council, and Cork County Council. A key principle for CMATS is to reduce dependency on the private car within the Cork Metropolitan Area, while increasing the appeal of sustainable transport options, such as Cork Area Commuter Rail, light rail, and BusConnects Cork.

Following detailed analysis of projected travel demand, CMATS established that an east-west alignment, extending from Ballincollig in the west to Mahon in the east would be the appropriate corridor for light rail. TII held a non-statutory public consultation on the emerging preferred route for Luas Cork, which runs from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, between 14 April and 9 June of this year. The Department understands that approximately 1,000 responses were received as part of the public consultation and the issues highlighted in those submissions are now being considered.

Cork is growing and needs a bus network that works for a developing city. The aim of BusConnects Cork is deliver an enhanced bus system that is better for the city, its people, and the environment. BusConnects Cork is designed to provide a better, more reliable, and more efficient bus service for everyone in addition to provide safe cycling facilities along key routes.

Following a public consultation, the new BusConnects Cork network was published in June 2022, and it aims to provide an increase of over 50% in bus services across the city. Planning for the implementation of the new bus network has commenced and it is expected that the new network will be implemented on a phased basis in the coming years.

Another key component of the BusConnects Cork programme is the implementation of bus priority measures, generally bus lanes, on key bus corridors serving the city. A third round of non-statutory public consultation on the 11 Sustainable Transport Corridors ran from November to December 2023.

The NTA submitted the Preliminary Business Case for Cork BusConnects to my Department in January 2025. In line with the Infrastructure Guidelines, the business case has been reviewed by my officials and by the Major Projects Advisory Group (MPAG). Having recently recently received the final MPAG report, I intend to bring BusConnects Cork to Government shortly. If approved by Cabinet at Approval Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines, this will allow the programme to enter the planning process.

On 17 September 2025, Government approved the priority drafting of the Dublin Transport Authority Amendment Bill 2025, to amend section 44 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (the DTA Act). The amendment to section 44 of the DTA Act will enable the NTA to undertake the delivery of public transport infrastructure projects outside the Greater Dublin Area on a statutory basis, such as BusConnects Cork, in line with long-standing policy commitments in the National Planning Framework, the National Sustainable Mobility Policy and the Climate Action Plan.

It is currently anticipated that CMATS will be reviewed in 2027.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in these matters, I have referred the Deputy's specific question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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188. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the number of allocations made by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to Cork city council and Cork county council from 2020 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50306/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.

National roads allocations for years 2020 -2024 are available at: www.tii.ie/en/tii-library/reports-accounts/. Full details of national roads allocations for 2025 are available on the TII website: www.tii.ie/media/orbdngms/tii_local-authorities_2025-road-grant-allocations.pdf.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the progress of rural public transport initiatives in Cork north central; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50307/25]

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 Cork. 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.

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.

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

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.

In light of the NTA responsibilities, 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.

Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a dedicated transport police service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50308/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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There is a strong commitment under the Programme for Government to create a Transport Security Force under the NTA, which would operate and have similar powers to Airport Police and Customs Officers.

Work in the Department of Transport is ongoing around identifying the necessary legislative proposals to progress the Transport Security Force commitment, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the relevant stakeholder cohort.

The options regarding the appropriate model for the Transport Security Force are currently being examined and it is a priority that this work will be progressed as quickly as feasible.

It is important to note that neither the Airport Police, nor Customs Officers, have the powers provided to An Garda Síochána, and so the introduction of such a force will require the development of legislation, which can have a significant lead time, but will be expedited where feasible.

While the last few years have seen significant progress on investment in safety measures, antisocial behaviour on public transport remains a serious issue, and it is those who regularly use and work within our public transport network who are most directly impacted by any safety or security incidents on the network. The establishment of the Transport Security Force will play a central role in helping to tackle this important issue.

In the interim, the Government commitment to delivering a safe and secure public transport network, and the ongoing work on public transport safety, will continue, as will the continued support and funding for operator measures.