Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are any plans to amend the local link 391 bus service, Thurles to Limerick, to serve the village of Kilcommon, as it currently bypasses stopping in the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51399/25]

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 Tipperary. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increase Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities.

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.

In light of the NTA responsibilities for TFI Local Link services, 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.