Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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307. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding he plans to allocate to new and enhanced services under the BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and Towns Services programmes in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63686/25]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to reassure the Deputy that improving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the Programme for Government. The National Transport Authority (NTA) plays a central role in achieving this, as they have statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

As Minister for Transport, my Department sets the overall policy direction and funding framework for the delivery of public transport services nationwide. The 2026 PSO funding allocation of €940 million represents a significant 43% uplift in the allocation from 2025. This reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that public transport services can continue to operate reliably and sustainably in the face of growing passenger demand and increased operational costs.

This allocation will also allow for the continued delivery of targeted fare initiatives, including the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of 9 and the Young Adult Card for those aged 19–25, as part of the NTA’s National Fares Strategy. These measures help ensure that public transport remains accessible and affordable for families, students, and young workers across the country.

In parallel, investment continues to support the rollout of planned improvements within the existing network, such as the recently launched F Spine under Phase 7 of BusConnects. This phase introduces high-frequency, 24-hour bus services on key corridors, including routes F1, F2, and F3, enhancing connectivity between areas such as Tallaght, Finglas, Charlestown, and the city centre. The redesign also includes new radial and local routes to streamline and make the network more efficient. Regarding infrastructure, the NTA Board recently approved the Liffey Valley to City Centre Core Bus Corridor scheme, which is expected to commence construction this year with a view to full completion by 2028. In addition, I expect to bring the Ballymun/Finglas to City Centre Core Bus Corridor scheme to Cabinet in the coming weeks for consent at Approval Gate 3 of the Infrastructure Guidelines. Should the Government provide consent, construction is expected to commence on this scheme next year.

Work is also progressing on major strategic infrastructure projects such as DART+, Metrolink, and Cork Commuter Rail, which remain critical to increasing the capacity and resilience of the public transport system over the longer term.

In addition, a further €31 million has been secured for rural transport in 2026 – a 38% increase on last year’s funding. This ensures the continued delivery of vital services across rural Ireland, to meet demand in communities that depend on these services most.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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308. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he intends to progress the long-promised double tracking of the rail line through Athenry, given its strategic importance for the western rail corridor, commuter services into Galway, and regional development in the west; and the reason for the ongoing delays and lack of visible progress on this essential infrastructure project. [63687/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review was undertaken by my Department in co-operation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. The Review’s Final Report was published in July 2024.

The Review's Final Report sets out 32 strategic recommendations to enhance and expand the rail system in Ireland and Northern Ireland up to 2050, aligning with net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions. The recommendations seek to transform the quality of the rail system to the benefit of passengers and wider society on the island, through additional track capacity, electrification, increased speeds, higher service frequencies and new routes. Included in the recommendations is the double tracking of the rail line between Athenry and Galway.

Assisted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Advisory Services, the Department of Transport and Department for Infrastructure, and organisations including the NTA and Irish Rail, are working to progress the Report’s recommendations in the years ahead. As part of this work, a Project Prioritisation Strategy, which considers how best to optimise the sequencing and implementation of the Review recommendations, including both short-term interventions and longer-term projects, is at an advanced stage of preparation and is planned for publication next month.

Moreover, the recently concluded review of the National Development Plan has confirmed the Department of Transport’s annual capital allocations from 2026 to 2030. A decision on a programme of transport delivery within the available funding will be made in the coming weeks, with a related Sectoral Plan to be published.

It should also be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the Rail Review will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals.

Separately, works commenced at Oranmore station in October. These works will provide an additional platform and a passing loop, increasing capacity on the rail line. This project is scheduled to be completed in 2027. Works are also progressing to upgrade Galway Ceannt station, and these works, which are scheduled to be completed next year, will increase the number of platforms from two to five, which will support a growth in frequencies envisioned under the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.