Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
87. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport to examine the transportation connectivity to Cork Airport, and the way in which this can be enhanced by sustainable investment, in view of the request from the airport for a 24-hour bus service to be introduced as soon as possible. [63383/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank Deputy McGrath for his question regarding public transport connectivity to Cork Airport.
The Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, he is 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, which in this case is Bus Éireann.
Bus Éireann operates its Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes in Cork, as part of its Direct Award Contract with the National Transport Authority (NTA). This contract sets out the level of service Bus Éireann provides and the number of routes. Additionally, the schedule, frequency, fleet and fares are determined by the NTA. Bus Éireann currently runs two PSO routes providing connectivity to Cork Airport, the 225 running from Kent Station to Haulbowline and the 226 from Kinsale to Kent Station.
The NTA have confirmed that a Serving Planning Review of Public Transport Access to Cork Airport has recently been carried out. The planned BusConnects network for Cork Airport retains the current network structure with Route 13A to operate as per current route 225 while route 13B will operate as per current route 226.
The Preliminary Business Case for BusConnects Cork was approved by Government in October 2025. Following three rounds of public consultation, the NTA published the new BusConnects network in June 2022, which will aim to provide an increase of over 50% in bus services across the city. The Sustainable Transport Corridors, which will see the introduction of 90km of bus priority and 95km of cycle lanes when completed, are expected to enter the planning system next year.
The NTA have advised that consideration will be given to including extended hours of operation through the implementation of Bus Connects and that these measures would be further developed during the detailed implementation planning which is expected to commence during 2026.
