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Public Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022

Questions (221)

Claire Kerrane

Question:

221. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to transport difficulties being experienced by persons (details supplied) in a rural area; if transport options will be explored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22671/22]

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Written answers

In line with the whole of Government approach, my Department and the National Transport Authority (NTA) have been working on practical and meaningful responses to the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis.

From the beginning of the crisis, we have provided newly arriving Ukrainians with free travel from their port of entry to their end destination on any PSO or Local Link service. Indeed, many commercial bus services similarly offered this assistance in getting people to a safe location.  

I was also pleased to announce the provision of emergency public transport services to those refugees housed in rural or isolated locations to ensure better access to our local communities. This will be achieved through an acceleration of network improvements identified through the Connecting Ireland public consultation, including additional stops, route modifications, and more services with the aim of increasing connectivity. Rural areas will avail of such improvements, in practice catering for both existing demands as well as responding to the increased pressures on services where the local population has grown in response to the humanitarian crisis. The NTA are working closely with IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Services) to determine likely locations and the number of individuals housed at each location.

Additional bus services will also be deployed to cater for those housed away from the existing public transport network. Such measures will provide better access to a range of amenities, employment opportunities, and onward public transport connections to larger centres.

A Community Transport Fund is also being established to support occasional social travel requests. This will be operated by the TFI Local Link offices and will enable our Ukrainian guests to join in the many activities available in our towns, particularly activities focused on youth, integration, culture, and education.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the procurement and operation of public transport services in rural areas, including in County Roscommon, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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