Written Answers Nos. 1-90
75. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider extending the short hop zone to Newbridge and surrounding areas to aid with the cost-of-living of commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62392/25]
View answerI wish to reassure the Deputy that improving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the Programme for Government. The National Transport Authority (NTA), as fare regulator for services provided under PSO contracts, plays a central role in achieving this.
You will be aware that since last year there has been a significant change to the zonal structure used in the Greater Dublin Area for public transport. The old Short Hop Zone has been replaced by a new zonal structure comprising a Dublin City Zone and then three further zones. These zones have been developed based on distances from the city centre, reflecting the rationale generally underpinning the move toward a much fairer fares system which is based on distance.
The Dublin City Zone extends to approximately 23km from the city centre with Zone 3 representing a distance of around 50km from the city centre. With this change Newbridge was categorised as Zone 3 which brought a number of benefits to commuters as compared to the previous zonal structure. For example Newbridge commuters now enjoy significantly reduced fares for travelling to Dublin as compared to before with an adult Leap fare from Newbridge to Dublin City Centre reduced by approximately 45%. In addition, Newbridge’s inclusion in Zone 3 means passengers can avail of the TFI 90-minute fare, allowing interchange to Dublin City Bus, Luas, and eligible rail services at no extra cost if the tag-on occurs within 90 minutes of the initial tag-on.
I think the Deputy would acknowledge the significant benefits that Newbridge passengers are now enjoying thanks to these changes that have been introduced and also acknowledge the importance of ensuring any fares system is based on transparency and fairness across the board. There are no current plans to make any further changes to the zonal system as introduced just last year.
87. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport to examine the transportation connectivity to Cork Airport, and the way in which this can be enhanced by sustainable investment, in view of the request from the airport for a 24-hour bus service to be introduced as soon as possible. [63383/25]
View answerI would like to thank Deputy McGrath for his question regarding public transport connectivity to Cork Airport.
The Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, he is 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, which in this case is Bus Éireann.
Bus Éireann operates its Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes in Cork, as part of its Direct Award Contract with the National Transport Authority (NTA). This contract sets out the level of service Bus Éireann provides and the number of routes. Additionally, the schedule, frequency, fleet and fares are determined by the NTA. Bus Éireann currently runs two PSO routes providing connectivity to Cork Airport, the 225 running from Kent Station to Haulbowline and the 226 from Kinsale to Kent Station.
The NTA have confirmed that a Serving Planning Review of Public Transport Access to Cork Airport has recently been carried out. The planned BusConnects network for Cork Airport retains the current network structure with Route 13A to operate as per current route 225 while route 13B will operate as per current route 226.
The Preliminary Business Case for BusConnects Cork was approved by Government in October 2025. Following three rounds of public consultation, the NTA published the new BusConnects network in June 2022, which will aim to provide an increase of over 50% in bus services across the city. The Sustainable Transport Corridors, which will see the introduction of 90km of bus priority and 95km of cycle lanes when completed, are expected to enter the planning system next year.
The NTA have advised that consideration will be given to including extended hours of operation through the implementation of Bus Connects and that these measures would be further developed during the detailed implementation planning which is expected to commence during 2026.
88. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the concerns regarding the introduction of a taxi fixed price; if he has conducted a review into whether it complies with the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and the Taxi Regulation (Maximum Fares) Order 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63062/25]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the setting of fares, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
Section 24 of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016 empowers the NTA Board to make a 'Maximum Fares Order' fixing the maximum fare that may be charged by the driver of a taxi for any journey and ensuring the protection of passengers. The current maximum fares order took effect in December 2024 and a maximum fare review is carried our approximately every two years. The NTA has conducted these reviews since 2011. It should be noted that hackneys and limousines agree their fares in advance and do not use a meter.
As set out in the legislation, charging in excess of this maximum fare can lead to a prosecution however, charging below the maximum fare is permitted. In addition, there is a list of fixed payment offences associated with the misuse of taximeters set out by the NTA in the Small Public Service Vehicle (Fixed Payment Offences and Driver Licence Period) Regulations 2022. I understand that the Uber Fixed Price offer is not in breach of the regulatory provisions regarding the maximum fare, and does not constitute an offence associated with the misuse of taximeters. I intend to ask the NTA as regulator to formally clarify the position. SPSV operators are self-employed and can decide whether (or not) to sign-up with a licensed dispatch operator, such as Uber. They are not obliged to be affiliated with a dispatch operator in Ireland. Where they choose to do so, taxi drivers are free to contract with any dispatch operator of their choice.
Neither I, my Department nor the NTA are parties to the commercial or contractual arrangements in place between SPSV drivers and dispatch operator(s).
89. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport when he will meet with the elected members of the Letterkenny Municipal District, Donegal County Council to discuss the urgent need to fund a number of relief roads and by passes around the town of Letterkenny to address the serious traffic delays at certain times of the day, every day. [63484/25]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on these roads are funded from Councils’ own resources and supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
It is important to highlight that any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
The Letterkenny Southern Network Project aims to develop the transport network around the South of Letterkenny town, to provide connectivity from Letterkenny to West Donegal, improve traffic congestion, support compact growth, and encourage modal shift. The scheme received an allocation of €300,000 in 2025 to progress the scheme through the options selection stage. The planning and implementation of the project is the responsibility of Donegal County Council.
I can confirm that the Donegal TEN-T Priority Route Improvement Project has been allocated €2,020,000 for 2025. As part of this, three sections of the road network in Donegal have been prioritised for improvement, including the N56/N13 Letterkenny to Manorcunningham road.
This project received Government Approval in Principle at Gate 1 of the Infrastructure Guidelines in July 2024. The remaining Design and Environmental Evaluation Phase deliverables are being finalised. The submission of the scheme to An Coimisiún Pleanála is now anticipated in the first quarter of 2026.
Finally I would ask that any request for a meeting would, in the first instance, be directed to Minister O'Brien's office at ministerdiary@transport.gov.ie.
90. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to address the concerns in relation to the unsafe working hours arrangements of Coast Guard helicopter crews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63061/25]
View answerIn his capacity as Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, my colleague Seán Canney T.D, has responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard and the SAR Aviation Contract.
Coast Guard SAR helicopter services are provided under contract that is currently transitioning from CHCI to Bristow Ireland Limited (BIL).
Similar to the existing contract Coast Guard Aviation services are regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority. My Department does not have any role in the regulatory oversight of the contracted service providers. Many of the personnel previously employed by CHCI have or will prior to completion of transition take up the option of joining Bristow Ireland.
Similar to the previous contract, crews operate 24 hr shift patterns. In addition to regulated Flight Time Limitation requirements, both entities are required to operate a Fatigue Risk Management System, as per IAA regulatory requirements. In order to enhance overall flight crew safety, the new contract obliges ‘on duty’ flight crews to remain on base for their full tour of duty, for which suitable rest and sleeping accommodation is provided.
Human Resources and Industrial Relations are managed by the contracted service provider. My Department does not have a role in regulatory oversight of duty hours. I understand that the new contractor, Bristow Ireland Limited, following contract award concluded framework agreements with the employee representative organisations, FORSA, UNITE and IALPA. Bristow Ireland Limited subsequently concluded CBAs (Collective Bargaining Agreements) with the three organisations.
Bristow Ireland Limited continues to actively engage with the cohort of CHCI staff in advance of them taking up positions with the new contract and has measures in place to enable them transfer seamlessly to Bristow Ireland Limited, in parallel with the transition of each individual SAR base.
