Bus Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Ceisteanna (290)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

290. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure the provision of a bus service to enable young persons in Beara, County Cork, to access day services in Bantry, County Cork. [2298/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport

I refer the Deputy to her Questions on the same matter (Dáil Question no. 141, reference 60371/11 and Dail Question no. 142 reference 60376/22) which I replied to on 06 December 2022.

In my reply of 06 December 2022 to both Questions, I explained that 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 national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including TFI Local link services, and delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for bus services in West Cork, including to and from the Beara peninsula, I referred the Deputy's Questions to the NTA for direct reply. The NTA replied to the Deputy on 12 December 2022 advising that its aim was for route 236A to commence during the first half of 2023.

I will refer the Deputy's current Question to the NTA for direct reply.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

I am writing to you concerning the matter you raised in Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 18 January last which has been referred to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for reply. Regarding route 236A - Dursey Sound to Kilcrohane (via Castletownbere and Bantry) which relates to your Parliamentary Question 290, I wish to advise that this route is moving through the procurement process. Details of the implementation date will not be available until the procurement process is complete but the aim is for this route to commence during the first half of 2023.