Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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601. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he was briefed by Bus Éireann regarding route closures before they were announced; his current engagement with Bus Éireann around this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8939/15]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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602. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he was briefed by the National Transport Authority regarding bus route closures before Bus Éireann announced them; his current engagement with the National Transport Authority around extending the subsidy for public service obligation services on bus routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8940/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 602 together.

I received no specific notifications of Bus Éireann route closures as the actual requirement to notify such closures would form part of its licensing obligations to the National Transport Authority (NTA). My Department continues to liaise with the CIÉ subsidiaries, including Bus Éireann, in relation to public transport policy generally and the financial sustainability of the CIÉ companies.

I am aware of the strong public concern locally about the likely impact of the reduced services as a result of the proposed changes to Bus Éireann's Route 7 services and also JJ Kavanagh's Route 717 services. At the community meeting in Castlecomer on Monday 22 February, Bus Éireann agreed to postpone the changes to its licensed Route 7 services until the summer.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) is examining what might be an appropriate PSO service to put in place if funding was made available. Funding has not been secured at this time but the NTA are preparing the tender documents and plan to procure the services subject to funding. At the above meeting it was decided to set up a working group comprising local representatives and members of the local community to explore options for the continuation of public transport services in the area. The NTA and Bus Éireann will actively participate in this process.

The NTA has also been contacted concerning changes on the Expressway Route 5 service from Waterford. In view of these changes Bus Éireann plans to extend  Route 4 (Dublin–Waterford) to New Ross in order to maintain a link between New Ross and Waterford. Separately, the NTA in conjunction with Bus Éireann, is examining options to re-configure existing subvented services in the south-east in order to maintain socially necessary services to the affected areas following the withdrawal of Route 5.