Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
198. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider providing a budget to the National Transport Authority specifically for service enhancement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31912/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
That being said, the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, in Budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured €658.442 million of funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services. This includes funding for the continuation of the fare initiatives and to support the roll-out of new and enhanced bus and rail services under programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland.
A number of enhancements were introduced across the PSO network throughout 2024 and the initial stage of Phase 6a of the BusConnects Network Redesign rollout in Dublin commenced service in late September. The implementation of the Dublin Redesign Network has been delivered in phases over a number of years, rolling out incrementally since 2021. The first of these Spines – the H-Spine and C-Spines– launched in 2021. Phase 3 and Phase 4 launched in 2022. Phase 5a and 5b launched in 2023. Most recently Phase 6a E-spine of the BusConnects Network Redesign commenced service on January 26th, 2025.
Under the Programme for Government, our commitments include the rollout of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable, and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens.
