Written Answers Nos. 251-270
251. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has assessed the capacity of existing public transport services to safely and efficiently facilitate concert attendees travelling to and from major events during summer 2026; whether any gaps or deficiencies have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41352/26]
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.
While there is significant collaboration between the NTA and operators to ensure sufficient public transport capacity is provided for major events, it is the NTA’s priority to provide public transport services for all their scheduled timetabled services. Event promoters are advised if an operator has the capacity to provide additional trains, trams or buses to support large-scale events.
The challenge facing the NTA and the transport operators is the number of large-scale events being scheduled concurrently, and the resources needed to support them all. To support these events requires vehicles, drivers, support staff, site personnel and security teams, all of which have limited availability due to the normal workload associated with the scheduled services.
Some events are organised with no input or involvement from the NTA, who are informed only at a later stage. The NTA have said that there may be a need for more scrutiny of transport availability when licensing such events, particularly when different local authorities are licensing events to take place concurrently or in close proximity to each other.
The Department of Transport has requested that the NTA be included as a prescribed body in the draft regulations under the Planning and Development Act, and remain engaged as to how this legislative work progresses.
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.
252. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration has been given to enhanced passenger information, temporary shuttle services or additional park and ride facilities to support concert goers using public transport during summer 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41353/26]
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.
While there is significant collaboration between the NTA and operators to ensure sufficient public transport capacity is provided for major events, it is the NTA’s priority to provide public transport services for all their scheduled timetabled services. Event promoters are advised if an operator has the capacity to provide additional trains, trams or buses to support large-scale events.
The challenge facing the NTA and the transport operators is the number of large-scale events being scheduled concurrently, and the resources needed to support them all. To support these events requires vehicles, drivers, support staff, site personnel and security teams, all of which have limited availability due to the normal workload associated with the scheduled services.
Some events are organised with no input or involvement from the NTA, who are informed only at a later stage. The NTA have said that there may be a need for more scrutiny of transport availability when licensing such events, particularly when different local authorities are licensing events to take place concurrently or in close proximity to each other.
The Department of Transport has requested that the NTA be included as a prescribed body in the draft regulations under the Planning and Development Act, and remain engaged as to how this legislative work progresses.
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.
253. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport his Department's expenditure on IT consultancy; to provide a breakdown of the IT consultants engaged by his Department; the dates of their engagement; the nature of their work; and the costs associated with their services, in each of the years 2015 to 2025.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41363/26]
View answerThe details on IT consultancy expenditure by my Department as requested by the Deputy is provided in the table below.
|
Consultants |
Nature of Engagement |
Dates of Engagement |
Details of Report/No Report |
Costs incurred for each Consultant |
Year |
|
Deloitte |
IT Strategy & Governance Review |
Jan 2022 to March 2022 |
Review of the Department’s draft Technology Strategy and Governance Arrangements, and a review the IT Program Governance structures of the Department |
€25,000.00 |
2022 |
|
PriceWaterhouse Coopers |
Development of an IT Operating Model and Governance Model |
January to December 2023 |
Detailed IT Operating Model and Governance Model for all technology functions in the Department |
€1,248,280.97 |
2023 |
|
PriceWaterhouse Coopers |
Cyber Assessment and Remediation Project |
June 2023 to March 2024 |
Detailed report outlining the cyber preparedness of the Department and a plan to further develop our capabilities in this area |
€386,992.82 |
2024 |
254. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport whether an area will be served by the B3 under BusConnects (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41371/26]
View answerAs 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects Dublin programme.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that BusConnects is a transformative investment programme in the bus system, providing better bus services across Dublin, Cork, Limerick Galway and Waterford. In Dublin, all 12 Core Bus Corridor Schemes have received planning permission, with six currently subject to legal challenges. Contracts have been awarded for both the Liffey Valley to the City Centre and Ballymun-Finglas to the City Centre schemes, with heavy construction to start this year.
255. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport given that the Road Safety Authority published an interactive collision location map on 12 May 2026 making collision data from 2016 to 2024 publicly available, the reason local authority road engineers still require the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2026 to access this same data for infrastructure design and safety assessment purposes; whether local authorities can now use the published data as a basis for identifying and redesigning dangerous road sections; and to provide a specific date by which the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2026 will be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41373/26]
View answerThe General Scheme of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2026 includes amendments to the Roads Act 1993 to provide a basis for the resumption of direct sharing of road traffic collision data with local authorities.
Collision data is collected by members of An Garda Síochána at the scene of road traffic accidents. This data was previously shared with local authorities, via the Road Safety Authority (RSA), to enable them to identify locations of interest (accident blackspots) that would benefit from safety improvements. Due to the presence of personal information in the data, legal advice related to GDPR has meant that local authorities stopped receipt of collision data since November 2023. As well as sharing of the data, the local authorities have identified an issue with the legal basis to process the data, once received.
As an interim measure, the Department of Transport has been undertaking detailed collision analysis on the regional and local road network to identify locations of interest. When locations of interest are identified, the Department notifies the affected local authority. In turn, local authorities can apply for funding of low-cost safety schemes for these locations of interest.
The interactive collision location map developed by the RSA is a useful tool for roads authorities in identifying locations of interest. However, once the Bill has been enacted, it will enable the sharing of additional information, such as road surface conditions at the time of an accident and details of the road markings and the presence or absence of road edge or road centre reflectors at the scene of the accident.
The Bill has been approved by Government and is with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel for drafting. It is expected that the Bill will be published shortly, with progression through the Houses thereafter subject to Oireachtas scheduling. The Bill will provide for the sharing and for the processing of the data by the local authorities.
256. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of resit applications for the driver tests in each month in each of the years 2020 to 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41375/26]
View answer257. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the driver test waiting times, by test centre; the breakdown of new applications, by test centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41376/26]
View answer258. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of employed driving testers, per driving test centre in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [41377/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 256, 257 and 258 together.
Under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the National Driver Testing Service. Therefore, the information requested by the Deputy is held by the Authority. Given the RSA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the RSA for direct response. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within ten days.
Pending this response, the Deputy may wish to note that detailed statistics on the National Driver Testing Service, including driving tester distribution and driving test waiting times, are made available on the CSO website on a monthly basis and can be accessed via the following link: https://data.cso.ie/product/rsadts
259. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a report on the progress made implementing the Programme for Government commitments within his remit and on the achievements since the formation of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41395/26]
View answerOfficials in my Department are collating this information and my Private Office will forward it to the Deputy within 10 working days.
260. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the construction of the Ballymun to city centre core bus corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41406/26]
View answerAs 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects Dublin programme.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Pending this detailed response, all 12 Core Bus Corridor Schemes in Dublin have received planning permission, with six subject to ongoing legal challenges. Construction contracts have been awarded for the first two schemes, Liffey Valley to the City Centre and Ballymun-Finglas to the City Centre, with heavy construction to start this year.
261. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Swords to city centre core bus corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41407/26]
View answerAs 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 in the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects Dublin programme.
In light of the above, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that BusConnects is a transformative investment programme in the bus system, providing better bus services across Dublin, Cork, Limerick Galway and Waterford. In Dublin, all 12 Core Bus Corridor Schemes have received planning permission with six subject to legal challenges. Contracts have been awarded for both the Liffey Valley to the City Centre and Ballymun-Finglas to the City Centre schemes, with heavy construction to start this year.
262. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the funding that was allocated to the EV grant scheme in each of the years 2020 to 2025; the number of grants that were awarded; the number of grants that were drawn down; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles between €10,000 and €15,000; the average value of the award; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles between €15,000 and €20,000; the average value of the award; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles between €20,000 and €25,000; the average value of the award; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles between €25,000 and €30,000; the average value of the award; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles between €30,000 and €35,000; the average value of the award; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles between €35,000 and €40,000; the average value of the award; the number of grants that were provided to vehicles between €45,000 and €50,000 and the average value of the award, in tabular form. [41410/26]
View answerFleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term for the transport sector. Over €120m has been allocated in 2026 to support the continued transition to electric vehicles through funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (now Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment) held responsibility for electric vehicle and charging grants in 2020. Therefore, the requested details of EV grants drawn down are set out below for the years 2021 to 2026.
|
Year |
Budget Allocated |
Number of Grants Offered |
Number Grants Drawn Down |
Grants paid to vehicles €15-20K |
Grants paid to vehicles €20-25K |
Grants paid to vehicles €25-30K |
Grants paid to vehicles €30-35K |
Grants paid to vehicles €35-40K |
Grants paid to vehicles €40-45K |
Grants paid to vehicles €45-50K |
Grants paid to vehicles €50-55K |
Grants paid to vehicles over €55k |
|
2021 |
€63,000,000 |
16,184 |
13,409 |
|
2 |
14 |
444 |
1,953 |
1,980 |
2,006 |
1,161 |
2,834 |
|
2022 |
€60,000,000 |
11,560 |
10,891 |
|
2 |
16 |
114 |
1,256 |
1,931 |
1,534 |
1,344 |
3,783 |
|
2023 |
€68,000,000 |
18,219 |
15,843 |
|
1 |
2 |
251 |
818 |
1,598 |
2,863 |
3,217 |
5,589 |
|
2024 |
€59,950,000 |
13,777 |
12,304 |
|
6 |
53 |
452 |
901 |
1,027 |
2,757 |
2,172 |
2,363 |
|
2025 |
€67,500,000 |
21,244 |
18,651 |
34 |
170 |
964 |
643 |
1,036 |
2,308 |
4,193 |
3,712 |
2,569 |
The Private grants available during this time were as follows:
|
2021 |
|
|
Max. PHEV Grant up to June |
€5,000 |
|
Max. PHEV Grant from June |
€2,500 |
|
Max. BEV Grant |
€5,000 |
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
Max. BEV Grant |
€5,000 |
|
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Max. BEV Grant up to June |
€5,000 |
|
Max. BEV Grant from June |
€3,500 |
|
|
|
|
2024-2026 |
|
|
Max. BEV Grant |
€3,500
|
Alongside the EV Grant Scheme, and to promote the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), my Department launched the Alternatively Fuelled Heavy-Duty Vehicle Purchase Grant Scheme in March 2021. The Scheme was intended to help bridge some of the difference in purchase price between conventional HDVs and those powered by alternatively fuelled power-trains. In line with changes to the state aid regime, the Department amended the scheme to focus on "Zero" emission vehicles and launched the ZEHDV scheme in 2024.
The scheme is administered by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and funded by Department of Transport. It awards grants to assist companies and enterprises who wish to buy zero-emission heavy duty vehicles instead of buying the diesel equivalent. In November 2024, the scheme was expanded to include purchase grants for recharging infrastructure.
The total funding made available for the ZEHDV Grant Scheme since 2024 to date is €11m. Almost €4m has been drawn down to support 76 vehicles, all of which are electric and include large HDVs, refuse trucks, large vans and buses.
263. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV grants awarded, broken down by county, average value of vehicle and average value of award in each of the years 2020 to date, in tabular form. [41411/26]
View answerFleet electrification is expected to continue to provide the greatest share of emissions abatement in the short-to-medium term for the transport sector. Over €120m has been allocated in 2026 to support the continued transition to electric vehicles through funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government’s commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (now Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment) held responsibility for electric vehicle and charging grants in 2020. Therefore, the requested details of EV grants drawn down are set out below for the years 2021 to 2026:
Applications paid by county to 26 May 2026:
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Carlow |
163 |
123 |
185 |
138 |
211 |
152 |
|
Cavan |
114 |
102 |
151 |
85 |
150 |
134 |
|
Clare |
252 |
223 |
372 |
223 |
391 |
300 |
|
Cork |
1554 |
1130 |
1772 |
1302 |
2080 |
1474 |
|
Donegal |
346 |
248 |
302 |
204 |
362 |
235 |
|
Dublin |
5075 |
3757 |
5654 |
4831 |
6470 |
3282 |
|
Galway |
528 |
532 |
703 |
444 |
698 |
460 |
|
Kerry |
223 |
209 |
282 |
205 |
426 |
224 |
|
Kildare |
871 |
706 |
1074 |
845 |
1333 |
892 |
|
Kilkenny |
208 |
197 |
243 |
180 |
306 |
252 |
|
Laois |
153 |
149 |
202 |
150 |
316 |
206 |
|
Leitrim |
29 |
48 |
59 |
36 |
49 |
46 |
|
Limerick |
477 |
322 |
512 |
363 |
605 |
434 |
|
Longford |
49 |
43 |
80 |
52 |
85 |
62 |
|
Louth |
345 |
241 |
421 |
314 |
561 |
330 |
|
Mayo |
198 |
207 |
225 |
136 |
264 |
193 |
|
Meath |
543 |
594 |
910 |
697 |
1030 |
638 |
|
Monaghan |
68 |
48 |
84 |
63 |
123 |
65 |
|
Offaly |
145 |
123 |
163 |
129 |
241 |
120 |
|
Roscommon |
72 |
102 |
126 |
87 |
122 |
118 |
|
Sligo |
169 |
156 |
183 |
113 |
194 |
142 |
|
Tipperary |
331 |
287 |
324 |
200 |
435 |
346 |
|
Waterford |
330 |
268 |
352 |
328 |
419 |
290 |
|
Westmeath |
290 |
189 |
259 |
215 |
409 |
281 |
|
Wexford |
399 |
381 |
455 |
406 |
572 |
418 |
|
Wicklow |
477 |
506 |
750 |
557 |
799 |
481 |
|
Total |
13409 |
10891 |
15843 |
12303 |
18651 |
11575 |
The Private grants available during this time were as follows:
|
2021 |
|
|
Max. PHEV Grant up to June |
€5,000 |
|
Max. PHEV Grant from June |
€2,500 |
|
Max. BEV Grant |
€5,000 |
|
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
Max. BEV Grant |
€5,000 |
|
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
Max. BEV Grant up to June |
€5,000 |
|
Max. BEV Grant from June |
€3,500 |
|
|
|
|
2024-2026 |
|
|
Max. BEV Grant |
€3,500 |
Average Vehicle Cost for Private Grants only:
|
2021 |
€57,200 |
|
2022 |
€48,603 |
|
2023 |
€50,260 |
|
2024 |
€47,966 |
|
2025 |
€46,735 |
|
2026 |
€45,804 |
264. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had with Irish Rail and the NTA in relation to opening up catering services on additional routes; the progress being made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41412/26]
View answer265. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport when he will direct the NTA and Irish Rail to open up catering services on additional routes. [41413/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together.
As 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.
266. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he anticipates the ongoing energy crisis will lead to another upward revision to the Government Expenditure Ceiling for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40964/26]
View answerOver the last number of weeks Government has introduced two packages of supports worth over €750 million to help absorb the impact the impact of rising energy prices.
In order to accommodate these supports, and pressures in the education sector, the Government Expenditure Ceiling was raised from €117.8 billion to €118.5 billion.
Government remains committed to Ireland’s Medium Term Fiscal and Structural Plan, which sets out a pathway for net spending out to 2030. Delivering on our Programme for Government priorities within the parameters of the plan will require expenditure discipline and prioritisation by all Departments.
My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, has emphasised the importance of efficiencies and reforms in order to deliver public services within budgeted allocations, and as Minister for Finance I am committed to keeping the expenditure ceiling for next year fixed, at €125.5 billion as set out in the Medium Term Plan.
267. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of meetings since 2020 he and his officials had with a company (details supplied) in relation to EU Savings and Investments Union or a Savings and Investment Account, in tabular form. [40800/26]
View answerAs a key sector of the Irish economy, the Department and Ministers regularly engage with domestic and international firms who operate in the Irish financial services sector.
Ministers and senior officials are classified as Designated Public Officials. Any external persons meeting with Designated Public Officials are notified of their obligation to register their meetings to the Standards in Public Office Commission. These can be found at www.lobbying.ie.
From a review of meetings with the Company which the Deputy has queried where the Savings & Investment Union or the recently proposed Investment Account were part of the discussions, seventeen meetings have been identified. These are as follows:
|
Date |
Meeting |
|
30/03/2023 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
20/04/2023 |
Meeting between Minister of State Carroll MacNeill and BlackRock. |
|
15/09/2023 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
01/07/2024 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
02/07/2024 |
Meeting between Minister of State Richmond and BlackRock. |
|
13/09/2024 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
02/04/2025 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
03/04/2025 |
Meeting between Minister Donohoe and BlackRock. |
|
10/04/2025 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
21/07/2025 |
Meeting between Minister Donohoe and BlackRock. |
|
18/09/2025 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
26/09/2025 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
02/10/2025 |
Meeting between Minister of State Robert Troy and BlackRock. |
|
04/03/2026 |
Meeting between Minister of State Robert Troy and BlackRock. |
|
22/04/2026 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
23/04/2026 |
Meeting between officials and BlackRock. |
|
26/05/2026 |
Meeting between Minister of State Troy and BlackRock. |
268. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance to provide the number of applications and recipients of the fuel grant available to drivers and passengers with disabilities tax relief scheme each year since 2016; and the total cost of the scheme each year. [40801/26]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme (DDS) provides relief from VRT and VAT on an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Fuel Grant scheme was introduced under Section 81 of the Finance Act 2015 and is governed by Statutory Instrument 635 of 2015.
I am advised by Revenue that the full range of statistics requested is not readily available in the timeframe available. The table below outlines details that are readily available i.e. the number of claims paid in relation to the Fuel Grant scheme along with the total fuel grant repayment amount to those applicants for the years 2016 to YTD April 2026.
Fuel Grant Scheme Statistics 2016 – 2026
|
Year |
No of Claims Paid |
Amount Repaid |
|
2016 |
14,117 |
€8,081,636 |
|
2017 |
16,766 |
€9,469,785 |
|
2018 |
17,593 |
€10,125,935 |
|
2019 |
18,519 |
€10,540,521 |
|
2020 |
17,531 |
€9,972,460 |
|
2021 |
16,192 |
€8,082,718 |
|
2022 |
17,155 |
€9,788,848 |
|
2023 |
16,552 |
€10,574,058 |
|
2024 |
16,768 |
€10,739,422 |
|
2025 |
17,455 |
€11,863,246 |
|
2026 (Jan to April) |
9,645 |
€6,403,600 |
269. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 224 on the 21 of May 2026, the number of individuals paying capital acquisition tax each year since 2014, broken down by categories A, B and C; as the link shared in the previous response does not provide this information, in tabular form. [40802/26]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that due to the manner in which Capital Acquisition Tax (CAT) data is captured for statistical purposes, it is not possible to provide a complete count of the number of individuals paying CAT broken down by category. Instead, Revenue publishes information on CAT receipts broken down by category, and this is published on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/capital-taxes/cat/receipts-breakdown.aspx
270. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has considered reforming the tax exemption rules surrounding the Taxsaver commuter ticket scheme to allow all employees to have access to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40821/26]
View answer271. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if his Department has considered reforming the taxsaver commuter ticket scheme to allow all employees to have access to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40822/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the TaxSaver scheme provides an exemption from benefit-in-kind (BIK) where an employer purchases a travel pass for one of their employees or directors, subject to certain conditionality.
As an exemption from BIK, the scheme only applies where an employer purchases a travel pass for an employee (or director), or enters into a salary-sacrifice arrangement in exchange for a travel pass.
Where an employer choses not to take part in the scheme, relief is not available to employees (or directors). However, if an employer participates in the scheme, employer’s PRSI is not payable on the cost of the relevant benefit(s) according to the deduction from their employees' salary payments. This saving to employers is a key incentive for employers to make the scheme available to their employees.
Further, while the conditionality around the BIK exemption for the TaxSaver scheme falls under my remit as the Minister for Finance, I would ask the Deputy to note that the scope and conditions of the travel passes on offer are a matter for the individual transport providers. In respect of the day-to-day operations of public transport, including TaxSaver ticket offerings, it is the National Transport Authority that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under Public Service Obligation contracts.
As with all tax policy measures, the TaxSaver scheme is kept under review by Department of Finance officials. In considering proposals in respect of tax expenditures, the Government must be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer.
Finally, and as the Deputy will appreciate, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment, in advance of the Budget, on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.
