189. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has a workforce and skills plan to address identified capability gaps; the recruitment targets and timelines contained in the plan; and the extent to which it is intended to build and retain these skills directly within the Authority rather than through consultants, agency or outsourced personnel. [64271/26]

191. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the specific skills and capability gaps currently identified within the National Transport Authority, including in project management, engineering, procurement, information technology, digital systems, contract management and major infrastructure delivery; the number of additional personnel required in each identified area; and the measures and timelines in place to address these gaps. [64270/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 191 together.

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 in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

The NTA derives its power to employ staff in accordance with the provisions established under the Dublin Transport Act 2008, particularly section 20.

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.