494. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the plans under the BusConnects Network Redesign to establish a bus route between Swords and Beaumont Hospital; to provide a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57038/26]

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.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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 BusConnects is a transformative investment programme in the bus system, providing better bus services across Dublin, Cork, Limerick Galway and Waterford. It is the largest investment in the bus system in the history of the State. In Dublin, all 12 Core Bus Corridor Schemes have received planning permission, with six currently subject to legal challenges including the Swords to City Centre Core Bus Corridor Scheme.

Under the Dublin Network Redesign Project a number of orbital and local routes are proposed for the north Dublin area. Included in the proposals is a new local route L82 which will provide for a direct connection between Swords and Beaumont Hospital.