I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 176 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the NTA. The allocations to individual companies, including Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, are decided by the NTA in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. The NTA is also responsible for the collection and publication of statistics relating to public transport.
Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.