Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
359. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will provide the National Transport Authority with the resources to provide rural communities and local authorities with a reasonable level of minimum service and allow local groups the autonomy to design their mobility options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6532/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including allocating funding to Transport Coordination Units.
My Department supports the continued investment in rural transport in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government to continue delivering on the foundational public transport services introduced under the flagship Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan, with €31 million ringfenced for the rural transport programme, a 38% increase on last year’s funding.
