Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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210.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the public transport options available for travel between Carlow and Portlaoise; the reason there is not sufficient public transport options; if there are plans to increase public transport provision between these two capital towns; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34223/24]

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; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.

The issue raised by the Deputy is a matter for the NTA, and I have therefore referred the question to the NTA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.