National Transport Authority

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Ceisteanna (217, 218)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

217. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will confirm a company (details supplied) has won a competitive tender from the National Transport Authority for the operation of new orbital routes W4 and W6; the reason the authority believes the company can operate these services given widespread non-operation of its existing services as a result of either driver absences or the inability to retain staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10653/22]

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

218. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport the weighting that is given by the National Transport Authority to the payroll costs of the company that won the tender to operate the new orbital routes W4 and W6; if the authority compares payroll costs between the different companies tendering for these routes; the way it appraises these costs; the weighting that it gives to the driving schedules and time spent driving by each driver on the new expected schedules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10654/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 it is a statutory function of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to procure public transport services by means of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific questions in relation to the tendering of the new orbital routes W4 and W6 to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.