Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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57. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will carry out a feasibility study on a proposed new express bus route from Oranmore to Galway city centre. [17399/26]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in the bus system, providing better bus services across our cities, including Galway. BusConnects is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State, and is managed by the National Transport Authority (NTA).

The NTA published its final bus network for Galway in December 2023. The redesign of the bus network is one of the key elements of BusConnects Galway, which aims to transform the city's bus system, making public transport more useful to more people.

In 2023, the NTA carried out an extensive review of the bus network in Galway, in collaboration with Galway City Council, Galway County Council, local bus operators, and with the specialised expertise of transport designers Jarret Walker and Associates. In April 2023, a draft new network was published, and the feedback and submissions received informed the final new bus network published in December 2023.

The new bus network will enable more people to avail of public transport, resulting in increased access to greater number of schools and workplaces across Galway City, Bearna, and Oranmore. Once the network is implemented, circa 67% of residents will live within 400 metres of a high frequency bus route (running every 15 minutes or better).

The NTA plans to commence the implementation of the new Galway bus network in the coming years, subject to funding and operational readiness.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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 with 10 days.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding bereavement days in the event of deaths of immediate family members for employees of a semi state bus company (details supplied); if any consideration has been afforded to extending the number of days allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17422/26]

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.

The queries raised by the Deputy are operational matters for individual operators themselves.

Efforts were made to determine which company the Deputy is referring to, as no details were supplied, however in the absence of response, I have referred the Deputy's question to the two semi-State bus companies, Bus Átha Cliath and Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.