Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
114. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if a service (details supplied) will receive any support under the recently announced fuel cost package; if not, the reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31277/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for his question about the eligibility criteria to avail of support under the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS). Rising fuel costs mean increased costs for everyone in the supply chain, in public transport and for services provided by TFI Local Link and for school transport. To minimise the impact of these costs on end consumers, temporary support will be provided.
The support package has been carefully considered following ongoing engagement between myself, Minister Canney, officials in my Department, and haulage and passenger representative bodies over a number of months. The scheme complements the reduction in excise rates, the NORA levy, and the increased payments under the Diesel Rebate Scheme already provided by Government. The overall supports provided by Government reflect the needs communicated by the sector over many engagements and demonstrate that we are listening to the needs of the sector.
The bus and coach sector is a key part of Ireland’s public transport system, providing essential connectivity across both urban and rural areas. Supports will be provided to the operators of TFI Local Link services under contract with the NTA, and school transport services through the Department of Education and Youth.
Passenger service operators that do not fall under the scope of supports provided by the NTA, or Department of Education and Youth, may be eligible for support under the RTSS. Applications for support will be considered on a case-by-case basis, this will be necessary given the complexity of most passenger service providers business models where the same operator may provide services under local link services, school transport services, and on a commercial basis.
Officials in my Department are developing an online application system to support the sector to avail of the scheme. The scheme will open for applications in the coming weeks and payments will be backdated to 01 March 2026.
