153. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Transport the funding available for the various stages of the delivery of the railway to Navan, County Meath; the plans and funding to provide a feeder bus service to the M3 Parkway from the surrounding towns, to serve the MSD Dunboyne campus and encourage commuter transport mode shift; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48336/26]

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am 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.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Pending this more detailed response, with regard to the Navan Railway I note that the Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area sets out a framework for transport investment across the region from 2022 to 2042. The Strategy includes delivery of the Navan Rail line between 2031 and 2036, subject to planning and funding approvals. In this regard the NDP includes funding to advance the project to Railway Order stage by 2028.

A public consultation on the emerging preferred route for the line is currently open and will run until the 17 July, I encourage anyone with an interest in the project to engage in the consultation.