As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural 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.
It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including management of the Rural Transport Programme which operates under the Local Link brand.
My Department provides aggregate funding for Local Link services to the NTA.
Since 2024 the total annual allocation for Local Link services has included funding for rural regular services from the Public Service Obligation (PSO) budget provision. The total allocation amounts, including PSO allocations, are outlined below:
2024 - €66m.
2025 - €87m.
2026 - €97m.
The PSO funding allows the NTA to operate the Network on a sustainable basis and to prioritise any necessary changes in line with operational capacity and passenger needs.
The focus for 2026 is on stabilising the PSO position, ensuring services already in place can operate reliably and sustainably, and progressing improvements that are already in train. We are therefore focused on consolidating and strengthening the current network, while progressing improvements already underway, including Phase 7 BusConnects route adjustments and the new Mullingar town service. Within its allocated resources, the NTA will continue to prioritise operational improvements, where possible within its €940 million current allocation. Decisions on service changes or enhancements are a matter for the NTA, taking account of available funding, operational readiness, and driver availability.
