I recently asked the National Transport Authority, NTA, to increase the frequency of the Local Link service from Ballaghaderreen to Roscommon town in my constituency. This route passes through a number of small rural towns and villages, some of which have no public transport whatsoever. The service also provides an important link to Roscommon hospital.

I have sought for the service to be increased from two days to four. The NTA has advised that it will work with Local Link to enhance the service but does not actually have the funding to enhance it. When will the Government commit to investing properly in rural transport links, which are critical for rural towns and villages? During the summer, the 20 and X20 routes from Galway to Dublin were pulled. This left towns like Ballinasloe, Aughrim and Loughrea without public transport links, which are important. If we are serious about telling people to get out of their cars and onto public transport, we cannot cut services and fail to invest.

Obviously this is a matter for the NTA, which has seen a significant increase in its budget in recent years. Its budget has not been cut. In the next budget, we are projecting an approximate 5% increase in general spending, leaving out Covid emergency spending. There will be additional funding for road transport next year. Exactly how that is best allocated will be a decision for the NTA rather than the Government.