Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
253. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport if he will request the National Transport Authority to ensure that new and existing services under Connecting Ireland in rural areas connect to key commuter services on the arterial routes to towns and cities with third level Institutions in them to enable students from rural areas to commute to these colleges from as many locations as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43412/22]
View answerAs 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 national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, which is a major national public transport initiative with the aim of increasing public transport connectivity, particularly for people living outside the major cities and towns.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, 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.
