I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.
As Minister for Transport, 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 which 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 from the Public Service Obligation (PSO) budget provision. The total allocation amounts, including PSO allocations, are outlined below,
2016 - €12.2m
2017 - €14.4m
2018 - €19.5m
2019 - €21.0m
2020 - €23.4m
2021 - €28.2m
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in the matters raised by the Deputy, I have referred your questions to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.