Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Public Transport.

John Bruton

Question:

146 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the fact that passengers and commuters from Ashbourne, Rathoath, Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin and Trim to Dublin are being left on the roadside due to the fact that Bus Éireann does not have sufficient buses to cater for the number of passengers and the frequency of the service in insufficient to the areas; if she will allocate additional resources to Bus Éireann to improve the service to the towns in Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19968/99]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

In its Dublin Transportation Blueprint: A Submission to the National Development Plan, the Dublin Transportation Office proposed a significant increase in bus capacity to serve the hinterland area, as defined in the strategic planning guidelines.

The DTO recommendations are being taken into account in the preparation of the National Development Plan. I expect that provision for the phased purchase of extra buses will be included in the plan.

However, I should also mention that Bus Éireann has pointed out that difficulties in recruiting additional qualified drivers are also a factor. Bus Éireann currently has an intensive recruitment campaign under way. A number of new drivers are expected to be recruited shortly and this should be of benefit in the provision of services for the areas referred to by the Deputy.