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Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 September 2021

Thursday, 16 September 2021

Questions (77)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

77. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide additional funding to the National Transport Authority in order to increase the frequency of the LocalLink service in a town (details supplied) from two days per week to four days per week given the demand for the service and the ability of the service provider to provide the increased service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44119/21]

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Written answers

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

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. 

There has been a substantial increase in funding for Local Link services since 2016, going from €12.2 million in 2016 to €28.206m in 2021, comprising RTP Current and Capital funding, Covid related funding and PSO funding for Rural Regular Services.

The additional funding since 2016 has enabled the introduction of 85 new Rural Regular Service routes, as well as improvements to DRT services and the piloting of evening/night-time services in certain rural areas which have now been mainstreamed. The new Rural Regular Services operate at least five times per day over a 5,6,7 days per week schedule. They are specifically designed to ensure connectivity with other public transport services and better linkage of services between and within towns and villages.

In terms of potential new Local Link services, 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

The NTA has advised that 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, including Roscommon.

The NTA has also advised that it 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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