129. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the number of electric buses that are currently not in use due to a lack of charging facilities for them; the cost of storage per month of these buses; where they are being stored; and when they are expected to enter use. [66770/26]

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including the provision and upgrade of public bus fleets and bus depots.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Pending this detailed response, over 250 battery-electric buses have been accepted into the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleets across the country, with fully electric services now in operation in Limerick and Athlone. The electrification of the bus fleet is a key part of the BusConnects programmes and in our investment in public transport across the country more generally, helping to make a sustainable mode of travel even more sustainable.

I would like to ensure the Deputy that there is no loss in overall bus system capacity as a result of delayed absorption of the electric buses, with older diesel buses continuing in service until the electric buses enter service.

There are 90 zero-emission double-deck battery-electric buses awaiting deployment pending the bringing on stream of charging infrastructure, of which 36 are destined for the Greater Dublin Area and 54 destined for Galway. Plans are in place for all Dublin-bound buses to be in service by the end of this year, while all buses destined for Galway are currently programmed to enter service across late 2026 and early 2027.

Implementation of further phases of electrification at existing bus depots will be greatly assisted by the NTA's new Electric Bus Charging Infrastructure framework contract, which has been finalised and will be formally awarded shortly.