Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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173. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware of challenges that public service bus companies are experiencing with regarding to the international recruitment of bus drivers and bus mechanics due to changes in visa requirements; if he has he raised these challenges with other Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54091/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government (PfG) has committed to "Work to enhance and support the delivery of a skilled workforce to maintain and operate public transport vehicles".

My Department chairs the Public Transport Workforce Taskforce which aims to progress this PfG commitment and to identify options to assist with resolving challenges regarding the recruitment of drivers and mechanics/craftworkers. The taskforce includes representatives from the school transport section in the Department of Education, relevant agencies and transport operators including Bus Éireann, and training bodies.

The aim of the taskforce is to work collaboratively to identify contributing factors to the recruitment issues, and put forward an action plan with recommendations and measures to create a pipeline of workers to address these wider issues. Officials in my department will also continue to engage with other stakeholders, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, during the preparation of the action plan.

In line with this work, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment signed regulations on 11 April 2025 extending the general employment permit quotas for HGV/Bus mechanics and vehicle repairers, increasing the total number of quotas available for these roles by 200 permits.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on progress on each of the 12 spine routes for BusConnects in Dublin, indicating where each are in the planning process; which are in a judicial review process, and at what stage that judicial review process is at; if any have been tendered yet; if any are close to tender; an indication of the order in which these 12 routes will be built over the next number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54093/25]

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 responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the BusConnects routes in Dublin.

As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, with the aim to provide better bus services across five cities. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the NTA.

In Dublin, the major infrastructure element of BusConnects comprises Core Bus Corridor (CBC) schemes.

An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved all 12 Core Bus Corridor schemes. However, legal proceedings are ongoing in relation to seven: Clongriffin, Belfield/Blackrock, Blanchardstown, Kimmage, Swords, Templeogue/Rathfarnham and Bray schemes.

An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the Liffey Valley to City Centre scheme in December 2023. The NTA issued the Invitation to Tender in August 2024 and the NTA Board approved the scheme in May 2025. This Core Bus Corridor scheme is approximately 9.2 kilometres in length, including the provision of bus, cycle, and walking infrastructure enhancements. Construction is expected to commence in December 2025, with a view to full completion of the Corridor by 2028.

The NTA concluded a procurement competition and has selected a contractor for the Ballymun/Finglas scheme. This will require Cabinet consent at Approval Gate 3 of the Infrastructure Guidelines, which I expect to bring in the coming weeks.? Should the Government provide consent, construction is expected to commence on this scheme in 2026.

The recently concluded Review of the National Development Plan has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. The Department is currently 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 within the available funding will be made in the coming months. A sectoral plan is expected to be published in the coming months. More CBC schemes will enter the procurement and construction stages before the end of 2030, subject to funding being available.

Noting the NTA's responsibility for BusConnects Dublin, 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 days.