Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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338. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current plans to expand or strengthen bus priority measures along corridors (details supplied), including the introduction of additional bus lanes or enhanced enforcement of existing bus lane restrictions, to improve journey time reliability for passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61798/25]

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.

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 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.

Collectively, these schemes will see the construction of approximately 230km of designated bus lanes once complete. The success of these schemes is essential in expanding and strengthening bus priority infrastructure across Dublin.

The matter of enforcement as it relates to bus lanes and Core Bus Corridors is one under consideration by the NTA and officials in my Department.

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

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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339. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions taken in collaboration with the National Transport Authority and public transport operators to address bus driver shortages impacting service reliability in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61799/25]

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 such as driver recruitment.

I understand that many operators in the transport sector have experienced difficulties in recruiting new drivers. These issues are found across all types of operators both public and private. The National Transport Authority (NTA) have been working with operators to try and mitigate the impacts including running recruitment campaigns.

The NTA is in regular contact with bus operators, who are making every attempt to recruit more drivers so that all services can run as scheduled. Several operators have undertaken extensive driver recruitment campaigns in recent months with staff levels beginning to improve gradually, and additional drivers expected to become available once their required training and tests are complete and licences are issued by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The NTA has engaged with the RSA to expedite the testing and licence issue process for new bus drivers. In addition the Authority has undertaken a national advertising campaign to attract bus drivers to the industry.

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.