167. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the amount of additional fuel related financial support provided to date in 2026 to operators providing Local Link services in County Offaly in response to increased fuel costs; the number of operators and vehicles supported; and the total amount paid to date, in tabular form. [66274/26]

As Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the operations of public passenger transport services nationally, including the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and TFI Local Link services. In light of the NTA responsibilities I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.