I thank the Minister of State for attending the Seanad this morning. Today I am calling for greater investment in rural transport, in particular our Local Link and demand-responsive transport services. These services are a lifeline for people across rural Ireland - for the older person needing to reach their GP visits, the student getting to college and the worker who depends on a reliable bus to get to their job. They connect people to opportunity, community and essential services.

Local Link is one of the greatest success stories of rural Ireland. It is a service built around local needs, communities' priorities and real-world challenges. Time and again, Local Link has shown that with the right support, rural transport can be flexible, responsive, reliable and transformative. The dedication of Local Link drivers, their co-ordinators and community partners is extraordinary and has to be acknowledged. Their work deserves recognition and expanded investment. However, the reality in too many areas is that there still is not enough coverage. Some communities see one bus a day. Some see none at all. Families are forced to run a second car, not out of choice but necessity. That is not fair or sustainable for a lot of families.

I want to highlight one example in the village of Abbeydorney in north Kerry. It is a remote village north of Listowel and south of Tralee. Abbeydorney previously applied for a demand-responsive transport service and was refused funding. They are now applying again. This time, their needs must be heard. The intention is simple - to provide older residents with a weekly commute to their active retirement group at the community centre in Abbeydorney. At present, Local Link offers a run every second week. That is twice a month that some people in rural north Kerry can meet in their active retirement group in Abbeydorney. It is just twice a month. That is not fair to these people. While appreciated, it is not enough. These residents deserve the chance to meet weekly to socialise, participate and stay active in their community. Social connection is not a luxury; it is a necessity for well-being, dignity and independence.

Abbeydorney is far from alone. Across Kerry and throughout rural Ireland, there are communities that need expanded routes, greater frequency and more robust demand-responsive transport options. Rural isolation is a persistent challenge. I know that. I live in rural Ireland. Improved transport is one of the most effective tools we have to address it. Investment in Local Link and in demand-responsive transport is investment in our people. It cuts isolation, reduces emissions and gives rural communities the same opportunities as our towns and cities.

I see the Luas green line is suspended this morning. Imagine if the Local Link was suspended; would it get the same furore in my part of the country? I am calling for increased core funding, expanded routes and frequency, a modernised booking system and stronger integration of the Local Link with the wider public transport network. Every €1 spent on rural transport delivers multiple returns in equality, climate action and community well-being. Let us back Local Link, support communities like Abbeydorney, expand demand-responsive transport and ensure that no one is left behind simply because of where they live.

I thank Senator Kennelly for raising the important matter of the Local Link, particularly around Abbeydorney. He is right. It is about connectivity and opportunity. It is a success story. As the Senator knows, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport but we do not have involvement in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The statutory responsibility for that rests with the National Transport Authority.

The NTA works with the public transport operators, which deliver the services and which have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. In saying that, I reassure the Senator that the Government is strongly committed to providing public transport services in rural areas and piloting new transport initiatives for people of all ages and abilities living in them. With a third of Irish people living outside the cities and main towns, investment in our Local Link rural transport services remains a priority for me, my Department and the NTA.

As the Deputy knows quite well, the rural transport programme, now operating under the Local Link brand, has been providing scheduled and demand-responsive public transport services across the country for many years. Funding for the rural transport programme has increased significantly, from €16 million three years ago to €31 million for 2026.

One of the key plans for enhancing the existing transport network across Ireland falls under the NTA's Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan, which aims to develop an integrated, accessible and sustainable network of public transport offerings across Ireland. Under this hugely successful programme, over 180 new or enhanced services have been rolled out since 2022. These services have connected 240 new towns and villages to the public transport network, with 61 new connections established to healthcare facilities and 41 new connections to higher education facilities. These increased services have led to exponential growth in passenger numbers, which have seen a five-fold increase since 2022, with a record weekly high of over 125,000 passenger journeys recorded in November 2025. We all agree this is a significant number.

Demand-responsive transport, DRT, is important in meeting both transport disadvantage and climate challenges by catering for users with mobility limitations as well as those in dispersed, low-density housing in rural areas. It addresses the point the Senator rightly made, which was that social connection is not a luxury. DRT services, as a concept, have existed in our country for some time. TFI Local Link currently operates approximately 1,000 DRT services. These are primarily focused on providing public transport services in rural or isolated areas, such as the one referred to in Kerry. Users can contact their Local Link office to book a service along a specific route with a specific schedule, typically a day in advance. I take the Senator's point on the twice-per-month arrangement. We will have a chat about that again.

A key objective of Connecting Ireland is to implement non-fixed-route public transport services. As demand for public transport increases, it is important to explore alternative options that complement our existing public transport offerings.

With funding under the Climate Action Fund, the NTA is developing smart DRT services in three locations during 2025 and 2026. The Smart DRT pilot involves the use of technology to provide demand-responsive services that can be offered both on demand and in a pre-planned way. Smart DRT is an enabler of the more efficient use of vehicles. The Anseo app was launched in Achill in July 2025 and is now operational in Killarney and the north east of Limerick city. Unlike the traditional fixed-route services model, the smart DRT model allows passengers to request pick-ups and drop-offs anywhere within the operating zone, offering greater flexibility and accessibility.

Earlier this month, the NTA also announced the phased introduction of contactless payments on TFI Local Link services, beginning with a pilot in Tipperary, a major milestone in improving accessibility and convenience.

To go back to the Senator's fundamental point, it is a matter of local need and community response. I will certainly relay to the Minister the Senator's concerns regarding the lack of a service in Abbeydorney. I look forward to engaging further with the NTA and the Senator on the matter.

I thank the Minister of State. That is wonderful news. As he said, Local Link has been a success story. In Ballyferriter, west Kerry, it has brought communities back together. The service the people are receiving there is unbelievable and they are grateful for it. However, I am highlighting areas that are not receiving an adequate service. I am delighted that the Minister of State will take on board my points, especially those on the Abbeydorney area. Is there a public awareness campaign for people living on isolated roads that are not being serviced? Has the NTA a way of identifying areas that have applied for funding but that unfortunately have not been successful? Local Link has been a success story but everyone is not included. I want the affected areas to be invested in and people to have an adequate service. I thank the Minister of State.

I thank the Senator again for raising the matter and being an advocate of connectivity.

In recent years in County Kerry, for which he has been a strong advocate and champion, we have seen considerable investment in the rural transport programme, with funding having increased by 71% between 2023 and 2024 to over €4.7 million. Passenger numbers on the regular rural service routes in Kerry have seen a 41% increase year on year. I take the Senator's point regarding deficits that exist. I am fully committed to delivering a more sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport system for the benefit of current and future generations.

I was very much struck by the point he made to the effect that social connection is not a luxury. It is not. I compliment former Minister Eamon Ryan who believed transport connectivity was very important to people in rural Ireland. The Senator referred this morning to Abbeydorney and other parts of Kerry. I could give him a list of where we have seen new or enhanced services across Kerry, but he is correct that there are still gaps that we must work to fill. For me, it is about bringing life back to the villages, towns and communities he spoke about this morning, particularly Abbeydorney.

Go raibh maith ag an Aire Stáit. They are great services. I totally agree.