Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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104. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the increase in the 132 bus service that was scheduled for April of this year will happen. [51677/25]

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 fully recognise the vital role that enhanced connectivity plays in supporting communities across rural Ireland, including County Wicklow.

Operational decisions regarding service delivery rest with the National Transport Authority or the NTA, in collaboration with transport operators and subject to funding and resource availability. The NTA has advised the Department that plans to enhance route 132 are at an advanced stage. Discussions around funding for the Public Service Obligation PSO programme are ongoing, as is regular engagement between the NTA and operators on resource needs.

The Department remains committed to expanding rural transport in line with the Programme for Government’s pledge to continue rolling out the Connecting Ireland initiative, and as mentioned previously, Budget 2026 discussions will include consideration of increased funding for all public transport services, including those serving rural areas.

I am acutely aware of the importance of better connecting rural communities with improved public transport. These connections bring social, economic and environmental benefits and are opening up new ways of travelling across the country. Routes such as this year’s new service between Carnew and Baltinglass include evening connections and facilitate smooth integration with regional bus routes, further strengthening mobility and access for local residents across the wider region.

Since 2022 Connecting Ireland has delivered over 175 new or improved services, linking more than 240 towns and villages to the public transport network. In 2024 alone, nearly 8 million passenger journeys were recorded on Connecting Ireland services. I want to build on that success and look forward to working with the Deputy in that regard.

Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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105. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will acknowledge the need for additional rural bus services in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny; if he has a plan to address the limitations of the current rural bus services for people living in Carlow and Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51826/25]

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 would like to reaffirm this Government's recognition of the distinct needs and opportunities of communities across rural Ireland, that must be at the heart of decision-making.

In recent years under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, the NTA have been focusing on both facilitating access to local services and enhancing connectivity to an expanded regional network that links cities and regional centres across Ireland.

As part of this plan, the Route 897 between Kilkenny and Athy was implemented in late 2023. The service continued to grow and in 2024 the service was enhanced to include a new evening service from Thursday to Saturday between Kilkenny City and Moneenroe.

Funding for Rural Transport in Counties Carlow, Kilkenny and Wicklow has increased by 46% between 2023 and 2024, to over €3.5m. Passenger numbers on regular, timetabled services on routes in these counties also increased by 61% from 2023 to 2024.

This funding has also enabled the introduction of new routes such as Route 887 connecting Carlow to New Ross, which provides late evening services and ensures improved connectivity to the South East Technological University campus.

Earlier this year the new Route 891 between Fiddown and Kilkenny was introduced. This is the first ever service connecting Southwest Kilkenny and Carrick on Suir to Kilkenny City.

I firmly support the continued expansion of rural transport in line with recent commitments in the Programme for Government, and the Deputy can be assured that this will be a consideration in the upcoming Budget 2026 discussions.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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106. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to ensure that there are no disimprovements to bus services as a result of the launch of Phase 7 of Bus Connects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51683/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question and like him I welcome the largest ever investment in our bus network and services, which is what we are delivering under BusConnects Dublin and what will be delivered under BusConnects in each of the four other cities as well.

This is a transformational step change in the way bus services are delivered in Ireland and one that has been subject to the one of the most extensive public consultations ever. But it is a transformation, not a continuation of business as usual, and services are changing, bus fleets are changing and ticketing and infrastructure will change as part of it too.

The good news is that the people using this improved bus system are responding positively to that transformation, numbers on the new BusConnects services are well ahead of the older services as improved frequency and new routes provides better connections than ever before.

The launch of Phase 7 of the BusConnects Dublin Network Redesign next month is another significant milestone in the delivery of the wider BusConnects programme. This new F-Spine will connect Finglas and Tallaght through the City Centre, and will continue the positive progress seen elsewhere. I am confident that the new F-Spine will benefit people in the City Centre and suburbs across its route including in Ballymun, Finglas, Glasnevin, Marino, Broombridge, Kimmage, Walkinstown, Templeogue, Rathmines and Tallaght. The implementation of these changes will be closely monitored by the NTA, in co-operation with the operators, to ensure the roll-out brings with it the benefits assumed and I can assure the Deputy that I will keep in close contact with the NTA on the matter.

The roll-out of the remaining phases of the BusConnects Dublin Network Redesign will occur over the coming years, subject to funding and operational readiness. I look forward to his support as we continue delivery of the BusConnects programme.