Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022
214. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport the additional PSO funded Bus Éireann services that will be provided by location in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61863/22]
View answerAs 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.
In addition, since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
This Government is firmly committed to enhancing and expanding our public transport services provision across the country. To support this objective, in Budget 2022, I secured c. €538m of funding for PSO and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the NTA this year. The recently agreed Budget 2023 further helps to support this aim, with a €563million funding package secured to support the PSO services next year.
In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the additional PSO funded Bus Éireann services that will be provided by location in 2023, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
