Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2023
121. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Finance if the 70% loan to value ratio required to avail of the help-to-buy scheme applies to the market value or discounted price of the property for a purchase of a local authority affordable home under the affordable housing fund; and, if the former, to explain the reason. [20712/23]
View answerMy 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.
My Department and the NTA are supporting this by providing increased funding for enhancing TFI Local Link services, for both regular "timetabled" services, and "door-to-door" demand responsive services as well. There has been a substantial increase in funding allocated for Local Link services since 2016, going from €12.2 million in 2016 to €43m in 2023.
The additional funding has enabled the introduction of over 100 new Rural Regular Service routes, as well as improvements to DRT services. The new Rural Regular Services operate at least five times per day over a 5,6,7 days per week schedule. They are specifically designed to ensure connectivity with other public transport services and better linkage of services between and within towns and villages. Additionally, we will also be exploring the expansion of non-conventional modes of transport to give the public a well-rounded transport offering.
One of the key plans for enhancing the existing transport network across Ireland is under my Department and the NTA's Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan which aims to develop an integrated, accessible, and sustainable network of public transport offerings across Ireland. The allocation for Connecting Ireland in 2023 is €8.35m. On top of this, we are also commencing the roll-out of New Town Bus services starting with Carlow Town in Q3 2023. This is supported with an allocation of €1.65m.
