Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020
122. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget allocation for the rural transport programme in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number of passenger journeys in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18190/20]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which now operates under the Local Link brand.
My Department provides aggregate funding for Local Link services to the NTA. Since 2018 the total annual allocation for Local Link services has included funding for rural regular services, funded from Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding.
The total allocations for the years in question, including the aforementioned PSO allocation for the years since 2018, is
|
Year |
€ |
|
2016 |
€12.2m |
|
2017 |
€14.4m |
|
2018 |
€19.5m |
|
2019 |
€21.0m |
|
2020 |
€23.4m |
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you in relation to the number of passenger journeys for this period. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
