Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
33. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Transport to consider expanding the Local Link Anseo service to cover Thurles, County Tipperary, given the need for public transport in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13146/26]
View answerAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport I recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in County Mayo. In 2025, with funding under the Climate Action Fund, the NTA implemented a pilot Smart DRT service in three areas as part of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan.
Using the ‘TFI Anseo’ app, passengers in Achill, Killarney Town and north east of Limerick City are now able to book on-demand rides with ease, bringing the convenience of modern rideshare together with reliability and affordability of public transport. For rural areas and communities, this has the huge potential to integrate ‘first and last mile’ connections.
Each of the pilots will run for one year and will then be reviewed before consideration is given to adopting the app on existing Local Link DRT services and to expanding it's use to other areas.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the provision of rural transport services, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
