I thank Deputy Keogh for raising the issue. As Minister of State in the Department of Transport with special responsibility for rural transport, with my colleagues, the Minister, Deputy O’Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, we are, as I told Deputy Whitmore, investing considerably in services throughout the country under the NTA’s flagship Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, supported by funding allocated by the Department of Transport. I thank the Deputy for being a constant advocate in her own county of Mayo for rural transport and connectivity. We have seen funding increase by 56% between 2023 and 2024, with passenger numbers increasing by 72%. A great example of this continued investment can be seen in the launch of routes 460a and 460b in September of last year. These new routes offer connectivity to regional bus services in Castlebar station, Mayo University Hospital and to the villages located between Castlebar and Achill Island. I am pleased to share with Deputy Keogh that, last July, Ireland’s first ever smart demand responsive transport service was launched in Achill. This pilot marks a major milestone in rural mobility innovation and is a flagship initiative designed to revolutionise how rural communities connect and access public transport, and the service includes a flexible door-to-door app-based transport model, tailored to local needs, offering greater connections, convenience, accessibility and frequency. Since its launch last July, the pilot has seen encouraging passenger numbers, with a notable increase in repeat users highlighting the importance of the service as a transport link for residents in areas with limited transport options. In October 2025, the operating hours of the TFI Anseo in Achill were extended and it now operates from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to better meet the needs of the local community, providing more travel options for greater convenience and accessibility. In conclusion, my Department supports continued investment in rural transport in line with the commitment in the programme for Government to continue delivering on the fundamental and foundational public transport service produced under our flagship Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan.
Sentiment score: 0.55
I will conclude on this. There is €31 million ring-fenced for rural transport, a 38% increase on funding from last year.
Sentiment score: 0.16
The map paints a very good picture and I accept there are challenges. There are the provisions we have to bring and we want to see a further enhancement of the service. As I said earlier to Deputy Whitmore and I will say again now, we await the NTA service plan. As the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, said to Deputy Carthy in terms of road funding, we will listen to all requests. We have a finite budget, as the Deputy will appreciate, but with the NTA, we will work to ensure we continue to invest in our rural transport. In the Deputy’s own county of Mayo, we saw an increase in investment of 56% between 2023 and 2024 to more than €2 million, with passenger numbers increasing by 72%. As Minister of State, I will work with the Deputy to ensure we look at that map and see how we can fill the gaps in provision for the people the Deputy mentioned. I am fully committed, along with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, to ensuring that map has connectivity all the way around.
Sentiment score: 0.35
The Deputy is right that it is about boxing clever and TFI Anseo is a success. I fundamentally agree with her. She mentioned Knockrooskey. It is about that joined-up approach in terms of the local authority with footpaths, the NTA and Bus Éireann. What I would like us to do further as a Department is better linkage in terms of more accessibility and highlighting what the Deputy referenced in terms of the child who wants to do swimming lessons being able to get on a bus, the footpath, the lighting, and having a bus stop on the road. That comes down to an holistic approach by the NTA, the Department, local authorities, local communities and the local bus service providers to make sure that we are more accessible and resilient. People are voting with their feet. We as a Government and a Department are strongly committed to enhancing our Local Link services, as I know the Deputy is. She has been a champion for that for the 12 months I have got to know her and I hope we can work together to deliver further for the people of Mayo.
Sentiment score: 0.37