201. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an overview of the soon-to-be-launched Ennis town public bus service; the hours of operation; the extent of bus stops; the range of vehicles; the expected price fares for all ticket and concessionary passengers; if there are plans to provide further public bus routes across County Clare, including the potential to provide more on-demand TFI Anseo services in rural parts of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67332/26]

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 securing and monitoring the provision 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.