Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure that adequate resources are provided to the NTA in order that bus services on the main radial routes into and from Galway, including the services from Casla (route 424), Clifden, Headford and Kilcolgan can meet current demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13031/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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 the rollout of new and enhanced services under the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.

The NTA works with the public transport operators who have responsibility for operational, day-to-day management of services. Neither myself nor my Department are involved in the planning or scheduling of public transport services, or the allocation of funding to individual routes.

From a policy perspective, my Department is strongly committed to improving public transport services in rural areas and to piloting new transport initiatives for people of all ages and abilities living there.

In light of the NTA's responsibilities for public transport services in Galway, 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.