Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
150. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Transport the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the funding given to public transport is used to deliver on-time, reliable services for its customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2863/26]
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) plays a central role in achieving this, as they have 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.
As Minister for Transport, my Department sets the overall policy direction and funding framework for the delivery of public transport services nationwide. The 2026 PSO funding allocation of c. €940 million represents a significant 43% uplift in the allocation from 2025. This reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that public transport services can continue to operate reliably and sustainably in the face of growing passenger demand and increased operational costs.
This allocation will also allow for the continued delivery of targeted fare initiatives, including free travel for all children up to the age of 9 and continuation of the Young Adult Card for those aged 19–25, as part of the NTA’s National Fares Strategy. These measures help ensure that public transport remains accessible and affordable for families, students, and young workers across the country.
€31 million has been secured for rural transport in 2026 – a 38% increase on last year’s funding. This ensures the continued delivery of vital services across rural Ireland, to meet demand in communities that depend on these services most.
As the Deputy will be aware, the NTA is a non-commercial State body operating under the aegis of my Department. While the NTA exercises its functions independently, it is fully accountable to my Department for its performance, governance and use of public funds. We have a structured engagement process, including monthly meetings with senior management, quarterly governance meetings, and receive regular updates on policy and programme delivery.
On reliability, the NTA acknowledge there have been challenges - often due to traffic congestion, driver or mechanic shortages, or unforeseen incidents. My Department is working closely with the NTA to try to address these issues through initiatives such as the Workforce Taskforce which aims to address recruitment challenges for drivers and mechanics; and improvements to the vehicle location system, which will enhance the accuracy of real-time passenger information.
My Department will continue to work closely with the NTA to build on the significant progress made in recent years through programmes like BusConnects and Connecting Ireland. My commitment remains clear: to deliver a public transport system that is reliable, accessible, and affordable for everyone.
