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Dublin is set to see the first 24-hour bus service rolled out through the city later this year.

The 41 route from Swords is expected to be Dublin's first route to introduce the 24-hour service, with more extended across the city in time.

Ann Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority, told the Sunday Independent: "We know there is a demand for 24-hour services in Dublin City, so we're hoping to commence at least one service this year in Dublin Bus."

(Image: Moovit)

"We haven't got the routes worked out yet but you know we are planning that we would extend these around the key city routes."

In Cork, the buses run every hour after midnight and have proved to be a success, as so far there's been no reports of anti-social behaviour.

Richard Guiney, CEO of DublinTown, appealed for more bus routes to be introfuced to the city, saying: “While DublinTown welcomes the NTA’s recognition that there is a need for a 24 bus route in Dublin, this proposal doesn’t go far enough. Dublin needs four to six 24 routes if it is to thrive.

“The lack of a 24-hour bus system is a serious hinderance. If you are a restaurant owner, how do you get your staff home? In the past, restaurant staff might have lived nearby, but due to pressures in the housing market they are now far more likely to live further away in the Greater Dublin Area.

"As a result, a taxi to get a staff member home which might have cost €10 is now more likely to cost €70. As a result, it comes as no surprise that the restaurant sector, which is already under pressure, is seeing some high-profile closures due increasing cost pressures.

"Any sector whose staff finish work late at night is dependent on transport, so it is vital to have a proper strategy in place if we are to have a thriving night-time economy.”