Written Answers Nos. 197-216
197. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider raising age eligibility for those who wish to avail of the young adult Leap Card considering the financial pressures facing people in their mid-to-late twenties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31887/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
The Department of Transport secured €658.442 million in Budget 2025 for funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This includes funding for the continuation of the fair initiatives including the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Budget 2025 also included the measure to extend free child fares on PSO services to children aged 5 to 8 years old.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens, including young persons. Under the Programme for Government, our commitments include the rollout of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable, and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children. These commitments will feed into upcoming Budget 2026 negotiations.
Furthermore, the NTA has recently introduced a new, distance-based, zonal fare structure in the Greater Dublin Area. This move aims to makes fares equitable, more consistent, and easier to understand, with significant reductions for many commuting from outer areas, aligning prices more closely with distance travelled.
I want to assure you that I am committed to making public transport as accessible and affordable as possible, while also ensuring that our system remains financially sustainable in the long term.
198. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider providing a budget to the National Transport Authority specifically for service enhancement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31912/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
That being said, the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, in Budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured €658.442 million of funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services. This includes funding for the continuation of the fare initiatives and to support the roll-out of new and enhanced bus and rail services under programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland.
A number of enhancements were introduced across the PSO network throughout 2024 and the initial stage of Phase 6a of the BusConnects Network Redesign rollout in Dublin commenced service in late September. The implementation of the Dublin Redesign Network has been delivered in phases over a number of years, rolling out incrementally since 2021. The first of these Spines – the H-Spine and C-Spines– launched in 2021. Phase 3 and Phase 4 launched in 2022. Phase 5a and 5b launched in 2023. Most recently Phase 6a E-spine of the BusConnects Network Redesign commenced service on January 26th, 2025.
Under the Programme for Government, our commitments include the rollout of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable, and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens.
199. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the reasons the National Transport Authority has no specific budget allocation for service enhancements; the number of services it assessed on a case-by-case basis that were determined to be in need of enhancement from 2022 to date in 2025; the amount of money spent by the National Transport Authority on enhancing services on a case-by-case basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31913/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
The Department of Transport secured €658.442 million in Budget 2025 for funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This includes funding for the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025.Budget 2025 also included the measure to extend free child fares on PSO services to children aged 5 to 8 years old.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens, including children. Under the Programme for Government, our commitments include the rollout of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable, and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
200. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport to outline the amount of the €15million allocated to the National Transport Authority under Budget 2025 for the provision of new services across the State that was allocated towards the rollout of the B-Spine under BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31914/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
Budget 2025 provided a €658.44m funding package for the PSO programme, with €15 million included to support new bus and rail services in 2025, including the continuation of the BusConnects and the Connecting Ireland programmes, and the planned introduction of further new town services.
A number of enhancements were introduced across the PSO network throughout 2024 and the initial stage of Phase 6a of the BusConnects Network Redesign rollout in Dublin commenced service in late September. The implementation of the Dublin Redesign Network has been delivered in phases over a number of years, rolling out incrementally since 2021. The first of these Spines – the H-Spine and C-Spines– launched in 2021. Phase 3 and Phase 4 launched in 2022. Phase 5a and 5b launched in 2023. Most recently Phase 6a E-spine of the BusConnects Network Redesign commenced service on January 26th, 2025.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens, including children. Under the Programme for Government, our commitments include the rollout of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable, and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
201. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport the capital budget allocation for his Department in the years of 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [32567/25]
View answerPlease see table below outlining the capital budget allocations for The Department of Transport:
|
Year |
€ |
|
2023 |
€2.6 billion |
|
2024 |
€2.6 billion |
|
2025 |
€2.8 billion |
202. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of delays in the Irish Aviation Authority issuing EASA Part 66 Category A maintenance licences and other relevant licenses to apprentice aircraft engineers; the reasons for these the delays; how he intends on remedying the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31952/25]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) that it has experienced delays to licensing processing times. The IAA's licensing division has recently increased resources to address demand.
The IAA has also confirmed that there are a significant number of engineering licensing applications, which are being processed in sequence, of which Category A licences are a small proportion.
Safety is the number one priority of the IAA and the issuing of a licence requires a very detailed technical safety review by a qualified expert in accordance with applicable EU regulation. Licensing applications undergo a rigorous verification process, and an application can potentially take a significant amount of time due the complexities involved.
203. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the status of engagements between Iarnród Éireann and a representative group (details supplied), including the reasons for the absence of meetings over the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31978/25]
View answer204. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will clarify which individual or body within Iarnród Éireann initiated a review of a representative group (details supplied); if he will outline the process by which the terms of reference for this review were developed, including whether members of the group were consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31979/25]
View answer205. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of concerns raised in relation to the conduct of the external body engaged by Iarnród Éireann to facilitate engagement with a representative group (details supplied); and if he will indicate whether any complaints or issues were formally brought to the attention of senior management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31980/25]
View answer206. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport when he plans to meet with members of the representative groups (details supplied), further to previous verbal commitments to engage with these groups to inform the development of accessible public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31981/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203, 204, 205 and 206 together.
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 promoting the development of integrated, accessible public transport networks and infrastructure. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Irish Rail, who have responsibility for operational issues, including matters in relation to the Disability User Groups in each company.
From a policy perspective, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach has established a unit within its Department which will focus on disability, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to a step change in supports and services required by disabled people. In my role as Minister for Transport, I will be engaging with that unit with an emphasis on addressing the wider issues such as ensuring that all public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers.
In addition, the new national disability strategy is expected to be published shortly. I look forward to engaging with the disability sector, including the Disability User Groups, under the auspices of the new strategy to progress all of the transport priority actions in the strategy. I do have to emphasise though, that issues relating to the operation and management of individual Disability User Groups are a matter for the individual companies.
In light of Irish Rail's responsibility for its Disability User Group, I have forwarded your questions to the company for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
207. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport the timeline for reinstating the Dublin to Derry airlink, and if it can be brought forward from the projected October 2026 timeframe to reflect the long delay in reinstating this important service for the northwest region. [32017/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to engage with relevant stakeholders to establish air connectivity between Dublin and Derry City airports.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department is progressing the preparatory work necessary to establish a Dublin-Derry Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service in 2026.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that significant stakeholder engagement is necessary, including with the EU Commission in relation to any potential State aid implications and obligations. There are also strict timelines required regarding the notification period for the imposition of a PSO on a route prior to tendering and awarding of contracts which also needs to be considered. The proposed timeline also provides for a market sounding exercise to be undertaken by my Department to better inform the level of service to be tendered for. It has also taken into account the lead in time necessary for the successful carrier to set up operations and sell fares on this new route.
Engagement is also important between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. I am pleased to advise that a meeting took place at official level in this regard on 29 May and that this close engagement will continue over the coming months.
On a personal level, I look forward to meeting with management of City of Derry Airport along with the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council later this week, to discuss our progress to date on this matter.
I can assure the Deputy that the current timeline proposed i.e. to have a service operating on the route by 2026 is the optimal timeline to ensure that the detailed work required to establish a service on this route can be completed so that a new service can be successfully launched.
210. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the proposal by the CIÉ group to close off its defined benefit pension scheme for new employees and move them to a defined contribution scheme; if he has concerns about this proposal and the possible worsening of employment rights and standards involved, especially given that some companies in the group continue to struggle to recruit and retain staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32123/25]
View answer211. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport if, in relation to proposals to close off the defined benefit scheme for new CIÉ employees, he is preparing to support a Government letter of comfort to CIÉ workers related to the current benefits and rights of their pension scheme; if any such letter of comfort afforded to workers will effectively underwrite the scheme should any future funding issues arise in their pension scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32124/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
From the outset I would like to clarify that I, as Minister for Transport, have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.
As a commercial semi-state body, CIÉ are responsible for the provision of pension schemes for their employees - this is consistent with the pension arrangements of semi-state bodies.
That being said, I am acutely aware of concerns raised by the members of both CIÉ pension schemes, regarding the lack of pension increases since 2008, especially given the higher cost of living that many are facing.
On Thursday 15 May 2025, I was notified by CIÉ and the Trade Union Group that they have reached a negotiated position on a proposal relating to the issues associated with pension security for current employees at the CIÉ Group of Companies. The proposal also includes provision for long overdue pension in payment increases for ex-employees of the CIÉ Group.
The proposal aims to:
1. Maintain promised benefits for all members of CIÉ Pension Schemes.
2. Provide an increase for eligible CIÉ Pensioners of up to 5%.
I am advised a consultative process with all stakeholders will be conducted over the coming weeks, followed by ballot on the settlement proposal, which will be undertaken by the Trade Union Group.
I welcome the constructive engagement between unions and CIÉ management on this issue. It’s a strong example of proactive and inclusive dialogue that prioritises long-term outcomes for employees and pensioners alike. I acknowledge the work of all parties involved for their positive engagements.
My Department will continue to engage with financial advisors at NewERA, the Pensions Authority, and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation on the matter of bringing CIÉ pensions onto a more stable footing for the benefit of active, and retired scheme members.
212. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Transport to provide a report on the National Transport Authority demand need assessment along the H1 bus route. [32165/25]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
213. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of a private company (details supplied) that automatically grabs and resells cancellation slots for driving test for the price of €120; when this practice began; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32195/25]
View answerAs Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I wish to advise that, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service and the specific information on requested is held by the Authority. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the RSA for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
I understand that RSA are aware of some third party applications that are purporting to offer driving test candidates cancelled appointments. Please note that the only official site for booking of a driving test slot remains the RSA operated MyRoadSafety portal. The RSA is not affiliated with any third party booking systems.
Additionally, the RSA ICT department is working closely with their partners to ensure that such sites or third parties are restricted in their ability to access the booking portal.
214. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to expand the e-scooter legislation which was introduced in May 2024 in order that it also involves a requirement for registration and insurance of an e-scooter, and statutory checks on the technical specification of an e-scooter. [32197/25]
View answerAn Garda Síochána have powers, under existing legislation, to seize non-compliant e-scooters and to issue penalties to individuals who use e-scooters in breach of the technical specifications in legislation. I understand that An Garda Síochána are now using portable dynamometers to carry out on-street checks of e-scooters, to allow for greater detection of non-compliant models. I have no plans to introduce a statutory requirement for the registration and insurance of e-scooters.
215. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport if a contract has been signed to construct the Greystones Coast Guard Station; when construction will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32206/25]
View answerThe proposed Coast Guard Station at Greystones, County Wicklow, has progressed significantly. The Department of Transport is currently awaiting the tender evaluation report from the Office of Public Works (OPW), which is managing the project on our behalf.
At this stage, a contract has not yet been signed. However, subject to the timely completion of the evaluation process and the necessary approvals, construction is expected to commence later in 2025. The estimated duration of the project is approximately 14 months.
The Department of Transport is committed to ensuring the delivery of this important infrastructure, which will enhance the service of the Irish Coast Guard.
216. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on plans to bring the DART to Wicklow town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32207/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, as Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport in Ireland, including in relation to the rail network. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA).
The NTA Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, adopted in 2023, included a recommendation to extend the DART service to Wicklow town. I understand this extension can be facilitated through utilising the new battery-electric DART carriages which are currently arriving in Ireland and undergoing testing.
The new battery-electric DART carriages will first be deployed from Dublin to Drogheda from next year. As more carriages arrive, it may be feasible to also deploy them to extend DART services to and from Wicklow, subject to funding and approvals for the required charging infrastructure. The NTA is currently examining this issue with a view to progressing the extension around 2029.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
