Written Answers Nos. 361-380
361. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the rollout of a service (details suppled); if the funding provided for new bus routes in Dublin west in 2026 means that this route will not be launched until 2027; if additional funding will be provided to launch the route this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39004/26]
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 this context, the NTA continues to keep public transport connectivity, including access to Dublin Airport, under ongoing and active review as part of its wider network planning responsibilities. While there is no direct public transport from Dublin mid west to the Airport, a range of convenient and flexible travel options are available. Passengers can travel readily by rail or bus to the city centre, where they can benefit from frequent services operating to Dublin Airport.
Looking ahead, the NTA is continuing to invest in in additional orbital bus services that will provide more options to reach Dublin Airport by public transport. For example, route W4 which currently operates between Tallaght and Blanchardstown via Grange Castle, Kishoge Station, Ballyowen Road and Liffey Valley will connect with planned new route N8 at Blanchardstown. Route N8 will run between Blanchardstown and Clongriffin via Dublin Airport.
The exact implementation date for route N8 will be determined by funding provision and operational readiness. When this launches, it will allow seamless and easy interchange at Blanchardstown with many bus services serving west Dublin, including the W4 service which runs from Tallaght to Blanchardstown.
Further, the Dublin Airport Authority’s planning application, currently under consideration by Fingal County Council, proposes to increase passenger capacity to 40 million per annum. As part of its proposal, DAA has sought approval for a new Ground Transportation Centre to consolidate airport bus services. This would provide improved bus passenger facilities and increased bus bay capacity, supporting the continued growth of public transport for Airport passengers and employees. Additionally, MetroLink will integrate directly with Iarnród Éireann services at Glasnevin, thereby significantly improving public transport access to Dublin airport from the mid-west.
The Government remains committed to improving public transport services, and my Department will continue to engage with the NTA on future service planning and with the DAA on the proposed enhancements to bus infrastructure at Dublin Airport, to improve wider connectivity offerings.
362. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport to outline the expected annual cost of maintaining the 6.50am rail service between Athenry and Galway beyond July 2026; when a decision will be made on the future of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39114/26]
View answerAs Minister of State, I have responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
363. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport when a new bus service will be implemented between Athenry and Galway; when a decision will be made in relation to this; the expected annual cost of providing this PSO service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39115/26]
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.
364. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Transport to outline measures to increase the number of public electric vehicle charging points around the country. [39124/26]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years and reaching climate targets. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Over €120m has been allocated in 2026 to support the continued transition to EVs, which includes almost €45m towards infrastructure delivery.
This includes funding the delivery of motorway charging hubs, national primary and secondary roads high powered charging, and a pilot scheme for EV infrastructure in 15 Local Authorities.
Additionally, the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Infrastructure Scheme is a €15 million all-island initiative supporting the installation of publicly accessible EV chargers in sports clubs. The aim of the scheme is to install a network of publicly accessible EV chargers in communities throughout the country, through their local sports clubs.
In February, ZEVI published for consultation a refreshed National EV Infrastructure Strategy that sets out the next phase of Ireland’s EV charging infrastructure rollout. This updated strategy will build on the progress of recent years under the 2022-25 National EV Infrastructure Charging Strategy and ensure charging infrastructure keeps pace with the rapidly growing level of EV adoption in Ireland.
365. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether the Road Safety Authority has completed any internal review, audit or ICT assessment concerning the status, monitoring or operational history of the email address tdrepsappeals@ndls.ie; whether such review identified any periods during which the address was inactive, unmonitored or not subject to routine oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39251/26]
View answer366. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether the Road Safety Authority maintains any formal service-level agreement or response-time target governing correspondence received from Oireachtas members, constituency offices or public representatives relating to driver licensing matters [39252/26]
View answer367. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether the Road Safety Authority operates a formal case-management, tracking or ticketing system for correspondence received from public representatives concerning driver licensing applications; whether each representation is assigned a unique reference number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39254/26]
View answer369. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether the Road Safety Authority has undertaken any assessment of the impact of delayed driver licensing decisions on employment, education, healthcare access, disability supports, caring responsibilities or rural transport dependency [39256/26]
View answer370. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether any automated acknowledgement system applies to all correspondence channels used for driver licensing representations from Oireachtas members and constituency offices; whether delivery failure monitoring is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39257/26]
View answer372. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether any consideration has been given to establishing a dedicated tracked escalation channel for urgent driver licensing representations involving employment loss, medical necessity, disability supports or exceptional hardship circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39259/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 365, 366, 367, 369, 370 and 372 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service. Neither I nor my Department has a role in determining the outcomes or processing of individual cases.
I have therefore referred the Deputy's questions 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.
Pending this response, I recognise the importance of agencies under my remit responding promptly to correspondence from members of the Oireachtas and my officials will raise this matter with the RSA directly.
368. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether any complaints, concerns or escalation requests have been received by his Department regarding delayed, unanswered or lost driver licensing representations submitted by public representatives since 2024; and if he will provide the annual totals and broad categories of issues raised. [39255/26]
View answer371. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department exercises any oversight role regarding the responsiveness and correspondence-handling performance of the Road Safety Authority and National Driver Licence Service; whether any key performance indicators are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39258/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 371 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Neither I nor my Department has a role in determining the outcomes or processing of individual cases.
In line with other public bodies, the RSA is subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. In that regard, an Oversight Agreement and a Performance Delivery Agreement are in place between my Department and the RSA which set out the roles and responsibilities of the Authority, and define:
• the statutory and policy framework within which the RSA must operate;
• the respective roles and responsibilities of the RSA and the Department;
• key outputs, performance indicators and reporting requirements; and
• the governance, compliance and assurance obligations placed on the RSA.
As part of this oversight structure my Department holds four governance meetings - one per quarter - annually with RSA senior management where the RSA reports on all areas of its work, including in relation to the NDLS.
These quarterly meetings are complemented by monthly operational meetings with RSA staff responsible for each of the Authority’s services to review operational and emerging issues, including any delays impacting services.
I recognise the importance of agencies under my remit responding promptly to correspondence from public representatives. While I am aware that some queries of a particularly technical nature may require longer for the preparation of a comprehensive response, this should not be the norm and public representatives have a reasonable expectation that their queries will be dealt with efficiently on a consistent basis. My officials will continue to raise such issues with the RSA as part of the ongoing governance and oversight structures.
373. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority has considered the introduction of an interim lower cost contactless payment solution, including smartphone based QR ticketing or limited contactless bank card payments on selected public transport services, pending the full rollout of the next generation ticketing programme; if any assessment or indicative costing of such measures has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39286/26]
View answer374. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the original approved budget, the current approved budget and the projected final cost of the next generation ticketing programme; the total amount expended on the programme to date; the main factors contributing to any increase in projected costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39292/26]
View answer375. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the basis on which the National Transport Authority determined that the existing leap card validator and ticketing infrastructure could not support direct contactless payment by bank card or mobile phone; if any technical or operational assessments were carried out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39293/26]
View answer376. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority examined alternative or lower cost options to facilitate contactless payment by bank card and mobile wallet services, including applications (details supplied), prior to proceeding with the next generation ticketing programme; if any cost benefit analysis or comparative assessment was undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39294/26]
View answer377. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current expected timeline for the introduction of contactless payment by bank card and mobile wallet services, including applications (details supplied), across Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Luas, DART and Irish Rail services; if a phased rollout is planned across the various public transport operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39295/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 373, 374, 375, 376 and 377 together.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.
Pending this detailed response, I note that the NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.
Following a competitive procurement process, in April 2024 the NTA awarded an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system. The successful tenderer has designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.
The Programme for Government commits to rolling out contactless fare payments on all public transport and to keeping fares low and affordable. The new solution will replace the Leap Card system, which has served over 9 million users since its 2011 launch but is now nearing end-of-life.
A multi-phase plan has been prepared. In Phase 1, is targeted for completion by summer 2027, the new ticketing system will be developed, which will include integration with existing Leap cards so that Leap cards can be used on the new equipment.
Phase 2 will see the rollout of devices on bus and Luas services in the Greater Dublin Area, while Phase 3 will similarly see the rollout of devices and turnstiles at all Irish Rail stations in the Greater Dublin Area. To ensure the operability of the 90-minute multi-modal fare within the Greater Dublin Area, Phase 2 and Phase 3 will go live simultaneously, with a current target date of summer 2028. From this point, public transport users in the Greater Dublin Area will be able to use contactless payment across all modes.
Following this, Phase 4 will roll out ticket machines and devices on commuter buses and regional services beyond the Greater Dublin Area.
Separately, the NTA is actively rolling out contactless payments across TFI Local Link services, allowing passengers to pay for single journeys via debit/credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The system is being deployed across all 15 TFI Local Link offices, with full completion expected by the end of 2026. Already this year, contactless payment fares have been rolled out in Laois, Offaly, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim.
378. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport when a second train line will begin construction in Clara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39297/26]
View answerFollowing the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, my Department, with the support of the European Investment Bank and in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, oversaw the preparation of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. This Strategy was published in December 2025 and outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.
In the short-term to 2030, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of 'Early Interventions' to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published in November 2025. A second platform at Clara train station is included in these Early Interventions.
It should be noted that that individual programmes and projects referred to within the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
379. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the disabled bathroom in Tullamore Train Station has been out of service for over 24-months; when it is hoped it will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39298/26]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the Oireachtas assigned statutory responsibility to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network and public transport infrastructure. The NTA in turn works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Irish Rail, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
As queries relating to accessibility and facilities at train stations, including disabled bathrooms, are a matter for Irish Rail, I have referred your question to the company for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
380. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if the proposed assessment of Tullamore bus service has been completed; when it is hoped the details will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39299/26]
View answerAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing and monitoring the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, including New Town Services. In light of the NTA responsibilities I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
