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Transport Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Questions (114)

Martin Kenny

Question:

114. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department is improving rural transport services under the Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38321/21]

View answer

Written answers

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.

From a policy perspective, I have been clear that there is a need for a fundamental change in the nature of transport in Ireland and the Programme for Government, 'Our Shared Future', commits to making public transport and active travel better and more accessible, including in rural areas.

In addition, "Our Rural Future - Rural Development Policy 2021-2025", contains a number of commitments to improve public transport services in rural areas and pilot new transport initiatives for people of all ages and abilities living in rural areas.

My Department has been undertaking a review of the Sustainable Mobility Policy, which incorporates a review of public transport in rural areas. I intend to develop a new policy framework for the next 10 years that can provide a strategic backdrop to the increased investment planned by this Government across the sustainable mobility programme. The new policy statement will be informed by the review of the previous policy framework (known as Smarter Travel), submissions received during my Department's consultation process and the views and recommendations of other relevant stakeholders. It will provide a platform to advance the ambitions of the Programme for Government in the area of sustainable mobility, including in rural areas.

Our committments in both the Programme for Government and "Our Rural Future" in relation to public transport in rural areas will be progressed in the context of that new policy statement.

Among the measures we will prioritise is the NTA’s “Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan” to ensure settlements over a certain size can connect to the national public transport system, expanding TFI Local Link services and prioritising public transport projects that enhance regional and rural connectivity.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.  The NTA also has responsibility for local and rural transport, including the management of Rural Transport Programme (RTP) which operates under the TFI Local Link brand. 

The NTA is developing its "Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan", which has the objective of providing better connections between villages and towns through enhanced and new local routes. These local routes will be integrated with an enhanced regional network connecting cities and regional centres nationwide. Connecting Ireland is being developed by identifying and measuring the extent of gaps in connectivity between settlements, outside of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford; and also through developing a set of proposals to address those gaps, by enhancing existing services and introducing new ones.

In developing the Connecting Ireland initiative, the NTA undertook workshops with local authorities nationally. The NTA will shortly be undertaking a public consultation on the proposals emanating from Connecting Ireland.  The consultation will provide all interested parties and the general public with an opportunity to review and comment on the proposals.

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