As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects Dublin programme.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that the first seven phases of BusConnects Dublin Network Redesign have been implemented with Phase 7, the F-spine (Finglas to Tallaght), rolled out in October 2025. Route P44 is planned to commence under the A-Spine, which will be rolled out under Phase 9, subject to operational readiness and funding.
In Dublin, all 12 Core Bus Corridor Schemes have received planning permission including the Tallaght/Clondalkin to City Centre scheme and Templeogue/Rathfarnham schemes, which the P44 route will operate on. There are six schemes currently subject to legal challenges including the Templeogue/Rathfarnham schemes. Contacts have been signed for the first two Core Bus Corridor schemes, Liffey Valley and Ballymun/Finglas, and heavy construction is expected to be underway this year. The remaining Corridors will be progressed by the NTA subject to funding.
