Major BusConnects expansion to deliver 53% more Cork bus services and two 24-hour routes

Cabinet will today consider the €1bn BusConnects Cork plan, including 24-hour routes, 90km of new bus lanes, and expanded cycling infrastructure

The project is expected to increase the number of bus services in Cork by 53% with two routes operating a 24-hour service. File picture: Denis Minihane

Cork City will see a 53% increase in bus services and the introduction of two new 24-hour services under plans to be discussed at Cabinet on Wednesday morning.

Transport minister Darragh O’Brien will seek approval in principle for the BusConnects Cork programme, allowing for a planning application to be lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) will be able to move forward with planning applications for the Sustainable Transport Corridor next year if approved at Cabinet.

The Preliminary Business Case has already been subjected to an external review and examination by the Major Projects Advisory Group, as required under Infrastructure Guidelines. This now paves the way for a detailed design and procurement phase.

The programme comprises seven projects which will deliver 11 sustainable transport corridors. This will cover over 90km of bus lanes and 95km of cycle lane facilities. It will also deliver new bus shelters, electric buses and next generation ticketing.

The project is expected to increase the number of bus services in Cork by 53% with two routes operating a 24-hour service. Access to public transport services will also increase, with 25% more people having access to frequent services in the morning peak hours.

It is also intended to decrease peak bus journey times by up to 20% and save 2,700 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2032.

RTÉ finances

Media minister Patrick O’Donovan, meanwhile, will brief Cabinet on RTÉ’s annual report, including issues uncovered by the Chief Financial Officer.

This included unapproved pension top-ups of up to €30,000 being given to eight individuals, including a former senior employee’s widow, “without clear justification”.

Valuable artwork, worth over €100,000, has also not been declared by RTÉ. The ownership of this artwork is disputed.

A property issue has also been identified, with Eir occupying one acre of RTÉ’s Montrose site without a formal agreement. This, the Cabinet will hear, could “potentially complicate redevelopment”.

RTÉ recorded a €5.5m surplus in 2024, compared to a €9.1m deficit the previous year. This included €48m in Exchequer funding.

Housing delivery

Elsewhere, housing minister James Browne will update the Government on social and affordable housing delivery in the second quarter of 2025.

Some 1,757 new social homes were delivered, including 1,443 new-build homes, 162 acquisitions and 152 homes delivered through leasing programmes.

The number of new-build homes is 42% higher than in the same period last year and 54% higher when compared to the first half of 2024.

The Social Housing Construction Status Report for quarter two shows a pipeline of 26,684 social homes at various stages of design and construction at the end of June 2025, including 11,557 social homes on site.