Written Answers Nos. 147-166
147. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport if he is considering public transport fare reductions in his Department's estimates 2026 submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34027/25]
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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.
The Department of Transport secured €658.442 million in Budget 2025 for funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services. This includes funding for the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025.
Additional measures introduced this year are the extension of free travel for children aged 5 to 8 years old.
Furthermore, the NTA has recently introduced a new, distance-based, zonal fare structure in the Greater Dublin Area. This move aims to makes fares equitable, more consistent, and easier to understand, with significant reductions for many commuting from outer areas, aligning prices more closely with distance travelled.
Therefore, funding for public transport services is focussed on existing fare initiatives and service improvements such as BusConnects in the five cities, expanding town services in the larger towns, and rolling out Connecting Ireland in rural Ireland, in order to enhance factors such as frequency, accessibility and reliability in attracting and retaining users.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens, including children. 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 am committed to making public transport as accessible and affordable as possible, while also ensuring that our system remains financially sustainable in the long term.
148. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding his plans to ensure that all public transport is fully accessible to all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33418/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
From a policy perspective, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach has established a unit within its Department which will focus on disability, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to a step change in supports and services required by disabled people. In my role as Minister for Transport, I will be engaging with that unit with an emphasis on addressing the wider issues such as ensuring that all public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers.
As the Deputy will be aware, new public transport is accessible from the design stage. However, the real challenge is older infrastructure and facilities which may not be accessible, for example our Victorian era train stations. Since 2020, the Government has allocated increased levels of funding under the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit programme going from from €7m in 2020 to €25m in 2025. As a result significant progress has been made towards improving accessibility on public transport. For example, the urban bus fleets are accessible as are most of the rural bus fleets and over 25% of the taxi fleet is now wheelchair accessible, up from 4% in 2014.
As Minister for Transport, I want to ensure that all public transport operators provide accessible and inclusive services for every passenger. I was pleased to attend the recent announcement by Irish Rail of the reduction in the period of advance notice to one hour at the 15 major train stations.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of integrated, accessible public transport networks and infrastructure. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport more accessible.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for accessible public transport, including managing the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme, 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.
149. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to address bus no-shows, delays, and punctuality in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33554/25]
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 in this case Bus Éireann.
The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between it and the operators. These contractual arrangements allow for not just the monitoring of performance by the NTA and the publication by it of annual performance reports, but importantly, the contracts also allow for the imposition of financial penalties where performance does not meet the required standard.
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, under Budget 2025, €658.442 million of funding for PSO and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024).
One of the key public transport priorities for this Government is the continued roll-out of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan. Since its launch in 2022, 150 new and enhanced bus services have been introduced, providing 240 new towns and villages with connections to the public transport network. 600,000 people now have access to the public transport network.
A number of routes have been implemented or enhanced in Meath West under Connecting Ireland including the new routes 186 from Baile Ghib to Cavan, and 177 from Kells to Ardee, the enhancements to routes 189 from Enfield to Navan and 187 from Kells to Ballyjamesduff, and route 109B which was extended from Trim to Athboy via Kildalkey.
I can assure you that my Department is committed to providing investment in our public transport network and that I am supportive of the Governments goals in delivering an accessible, affordable and reliable public transport network throughout the country.
In terms of frequency, we are supporting the rollout of increased service levels on existing services and ensuring enhanced frequency on new services as they are rolled out.
On reliability we are introducing improvements to the vehicle location system and the real-time passenger information, all of which will improve the reliability of the system.
The query raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bus Éireann in conjunction with the NTA. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy's question to them both for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
150. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider making the wearing of high-visibility jackets compulsory, as a road safety measure, for all pedestrians, cyclists and users of school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34016/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that, under the Road Safety Authority Act 2006, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the promotion of public awareness of road safety and of measures, including the advancement of education, relating to the promotion of the safe use of roads.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has successfully been running the ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ campaign for over a decade, this has transformed road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. As part of the campaign, the RSA distributes thousands of free high-visibility vests and armbands each year. The Government continues to support and endorse this campaign. As Active Travel becomes wider used, it is hoped that citizens will avail of the free high-visibility vests and armbands.
It is the policy of both the Government and the RSA to recommend the use of these high-visibility vests and armbands, but their use is not a legal requirement. At present, there are no plans to introduce legislation changing this.
151. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has conducted any analysis on the viability of opening a train line from Navan to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33881/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, or NTA, has statutory responsibility for transport planning in the Greater Dublin Area, including County Meath.
The NTA's Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area sets out a framework for transport investment across the region over a 20-year period from 2022 to 2042. The issue of a rail connection between Dublin and Navan was re-examined as part of the development of the Transport Strategy. That re-examination supported the development of a rail line from Dublin to Navan and the final Strategy includes delivery of the line between 2031 and 2036, subject to planning and funding approvals.
I am pleased to confirm that in 2024 the NTA allocated funding to Iarnród Éireann (IÉ) for the establishment of a design team to commence work on the Navan rail line project. This work involves route option selection, planning and design phases of the project.
IÉ commenced the procurement process for this pre-construction phase of the project, and issued a tender to prequalified consultants at the end of May 2024. In November 2024, multi-disciplinary consultants RPS were appointed by IÉ for the duration of the project to work with the rail company’s in-house project team.
It is anticipated that a public consultation on the route options for the project will take place by early 2026. That process will ultimately recommend a defined route and support the development of a preliminary business case, which will need to be approved by Government, in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines, before any planning application.
The Navan Rail Line is being delivered by IÉ on behalf of the NTA, with funding for the project being provided by my Department through the NTA.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific issues raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
152. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the measures being taken by his Department and relevant State agencies to improve the recruitment of public transport staff, particularly drivers, which is necessary to enable an increase in service capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33993/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government (PfG) has committed to "Work to enhance and support the delivery of a skilled workforce to maintain and operate public transport vehicles".
My Department chairs the Public Transport Workforce Taskforce which aims to progress this PfG commitment and to identify options to assist with resolving challenges regarding the recruitment of drivers and mechanics/craftworkers. The taskforce includes representatives from the school transport section in the Department of Education, relevant transport operators and agencies, and training bodies. The aim of the taskforce is to work collaboratively to identify contributing factors to the recruitment issues, and put forward an action plan with recommendations and measures to create a pipeline of workers to address these issues. Officials in my department will also continue to engage with other stakeholders, including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, during the preparation of the action plan.
In line with this work, the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment signed regulations on 11 April 2025 extending the general employment permit quotas for HGV/Bus mechanics and vehicle repairers, increasing the total number of quotas available for these roles by 200 permits.
153. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on his engagements with his Cabinet colleagues regarding the inclusion of a bypass for Monaghan town in the National Development Plan; the steps that Monaghan County Council must take to secure its inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24846/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the National Roads Programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the National Planning Framework and the NDP.
In 2025, approximately €9.3 million was allocated for national roads in County Monaghan. This includes €3m to progress the N2 project between Clontibret and the Border.
With regard to an east-west bypass of Monaghan town, it is a matter for the local authority, in the first instance, to engage with TII regarding the progression of any proposed national road project. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight that all projects, including those listed in the NDP or any revision of the NDP, require statutory approval and compliance with the Infrastructure Guidelines.
The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation are leading the review of the NDP, and work is ongoing within my Department to contribute to this review, with input from TII and other agencies. The review of the NDP will be aligned with the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040 and is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. Funding commitments for National Roads for 2026 and beyond are currently under consideration as part of this review.
154. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the status of the ring road for Kilkenny; and to provide a timeline for completion. [34141/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. Of these grants, the vast majority (approximately 90%) are targeted at the maintenance and renewal of the network with c. 10% of the remaining funding invested in new roads/bridges or for road realignments.
Any new road projects that seek State funding are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly the Public Spending Code) and the Department's Transport Appraisal Framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
In line with Government requirements Kilkenny County Council produced a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) for the Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension and a draft was forwarded to the Department in January 2023. The Department reviewed the SAR and returned its comments and observations to Kilkenny County Council for consideration.
Since then, both the Public Spending Code and the Department’s Transport Appraisal Framework (TAF) guidance have been updated - the Department continues to liaise with the Council regarding new requirements under the new infrastructure Guidelines and the TAF including the preparation of a Project Outline Document (POD) and business case incorporating the work already undertaken at the SAR stage.
In 2024, the Department provided funding for an updated POD, which has been submitted to the Department by Kilkenny County Council, and while this process was underway funding was also allocated for Traffic/Junction Analysis in the Butts Green area of the City to further assess and understand traffic patterns in the city.
Following a review of the POD by the Department, €200,000 has been allocated to the Kilkenny Northern Transport Project (formerly Kilkenny Northern Ring Road Extension Project) in 2025 to allow Kilkenny County Council to progress the project to the Options Stage.
155. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the coordinated actions that are being taken between his Department, the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment, and EirGrid to ensure that energy infrastructure keeps pace with the electrification of public transport in the greater Dublin area and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34072/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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 (GDA) and the other regional cities in the country.
The Government is committed to the decarbonisation of the public transport sector in line with the Climate Action Plan. This will necessitate accelerating the electrification of the transport system, and the implementation of these changes are now well under way.
Charging points in bus depots and electric buses have started rolling out in recent years. There are over 100 double-deck electric buses in service in Dublin. No new diesel-only buses have been purchased for urban public service obligation bus fleets since July 2019, as set out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027. Further electric buses will continue to roll out on an incremental basis over the coming years
The DART+ programme will double the capacity and triple the electrification of the existing DART network. Battery-electric carriages from the first order of 95 carriages have started arriving into Ireland as part of the DART+ Fleet Project. They are now undergoing testing, and are expected to be deployed on the Northern Commuter Line serving Dublin to/from Drogheda from next year. Another programme, the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, is also being progressed and this will help enable the future growth and electrification of the Cork rail network.
In addition to this, the NTA’s Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2022-2042 proposes the development of a number of extensions to the current electrified Luas Network in the Greater Dublin Area, and an emerging preferred route for a Luas line in Cork recently underwent a public consultation.
Noting the NTA's responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the GDA and the regional cities, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
156. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on his Department’s steps to improve road safety in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33755/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the current national framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. The Strategy was launched in December 2021 and follows international best practice, aligns with EU and UN targets, and is based on the Safe Systems approach. The Strategy has the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% this decade, and to achieving Vision Zero—as close as possible to no deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads—by 2050.
Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy ran until the end of of 2024, with approximately 169 concrete actions complete or on track at its conclusion. Notable deliverables include publication of an updated National Cycle Manual, publication of the Speed Limits Review, and subsequent implementation of the first set of new default speed limits—of 60km/h on rural, local roads, as provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2024.
The Phase 2 Action Plan 2025-2027 is currently being finalised and I expect to publish it in the near future. This Action Plan identifies primary actions that are transformative in nature and which are themed across the overarching, internationally recognised safe systems approach. Each of these actions will be delivered through partnership and collaborative working with a range of road safety stakeholders.
To support and supplement the primary actions, the action plan includes a suite of supporting actions which reflect a wider range of ongoing important activities currently being delivered by road safety partners.
To ensure that road safety advocates had an opportunity to contribute to the Phase 2 Action Plan of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, the Department of Transport and RSA established the Road User Safety Forum. The Forum is made up of representatives comprising road safety advocates and experts, and its original role was to advise on the development of the Phase 2 Action Plan. In all, four meetings of the Forum have been held to date and the Forum will continue to advise on the implementation of the Phase 2 action plan.
In addition, a number of high-impact actions are progressing, including delivery of a national safety camera strategy, and phased implementation of a new policy to tackle the issue of multiple learner permits. Work has also commenced on reviewing the driver curriculum, and ringfenced funding of €18m in Budget 2025 has been allocated to media, education and awareness campaigns.
On National Roads, Transport Infrastructure Ireland continues to have full access to collision data under the Road Infrastructure Safety Management Directive and uses this information to conduct detailed analysis on the national road network to prioritise safety investment. A priority for TII is the maintenance of the existing national roads network to ensure it is kept to a safe and robust standard. This involves carrying out extensive analysis of the network to identify high-risk locations, through analysis of collision data and through inspections.In 2025, funding of €254m has been provided through TII for the protection and renewal of the existing national road network. This includes funding for various upgrades to improve safety. One such example in Galway is a road realignment project between Milltown and Gortnagunnad on the N17, which will improve safety on this section of what is a busy national primary road. This project has been allocated €800,000 for 2025. Funding has also been allocated for multiple road safety improvements on the N59, which is an important lifeline road between Galway and Clifden.On Regional and Local Roads, the Department of Transport continues to undertake the Road Network safety analysis on behalf of local authorities using collision datasets provided by the RSA. This analysis identifies sections of the network, or Locations of Interest (LOIs), where a history of collisions has occurred and where value for money interventions such as Safety Improvement Works can reduce or eliminate collisions. Locations of interest are notified to each local authority and the Department invites applications for safety improvement schemes toward the end of each year for targeted funding and implementation in the following year. The Department has provided an allocation of €523,500 to Galway County Council in 2025 to progress 11 schemes under the Safety Improvement Works grant programme. This represents a 22.3% increase in funding from 2024 under this grant type.With regards to capital projects, the Department is also funding a scheme under the Specific Grant programme which aims to improve the alignment of the R332 in Kilbannon. This section of road represents a pinch point on the R332 with poor visibility and a narrow carriageway. The Department has allocated €1.7m in 2025 towards improving the alignment and safety of this road.
157. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on actions being taken to improve accessibility at train stations (details supplied), in view of recurring lift outages that continue to affect wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments; and if his Department can give a commitment that accessibility will be a top priority, particularly for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34182/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
From a policy perspective, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of An Taoiseach has established a unit within its Department which will focus on disability, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to a step change in supports and services required by disabled people. In my role as Minister for Transport, I will be engaging with that unit with an emphasis on addressing the wider issues such as ensuring that all public transport operators provide safe and accessible access for all passengers.
The provision of accessible, affordable and available public transport services for everyone, including disabled people, is a priority for my Department. I want to ensure that all public transport operators provide accessible and inclusive services for every passenger. I was pleased to attend the recent announcement by Irish Rail of the reduction in the period of advance notice to one hour at the 15 major train stations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of integrated, accessible public transport networks and infrastructure. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Irish Rail, who has responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
As issues relating to the lifts in Clontarf Road and Clongriffin train stations are an operational matters for Irish Rail, I have forwarded your question to the company for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
158. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will meet with the NTA and Iarnród Éireann to discuss introducing a quieter carriage on all intercity rail services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34070/25]
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.
I can assure you that my Department is committed to providing investment in our public transport network and that I am supportive of the Government's goals in delivering an accessible, affordable and reliable public transport network throughout the country.
The issue raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Irish Rail, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority (NTA). Therefore, I have referred the Deputy's question to Irish Rail and the NTA for direct response.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
159. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Transport his Department’s plans for providing a town bus service for Tullamore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34106/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport I recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in the regional towns across Ireland, which I am reinforcing through my introductory interactions with Local Link offices nationwide, including in County Offaly. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to continuing the roll-out of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and continued investment in new town bus services.
Under Budget 2025, the Department has secured a funding package of €658.442 million for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This package includes funding for the continuation of the various fare initiatives, such as the Young Adult Card, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Funding has also been provided to extend free child fares on PSO Services to include those aged 5 to 8-years old, and to support the roll-out new and enhanced bus services under programmes such as BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and new town services.
As with all plans, any additional funding for new and enhanced town services would be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the continued investment in new town services, 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.
160. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport if he will increase the funding allocations to Cavan and Monaghan County Councils for local roads resurfacing in 2025. [34012/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority and Exchequer funding is intended to supplement local authorities’ own resources.
On 14th February 2025 I announced an Exchequer investment of €713 million in our regional and local roads across the State which represents an overall increase of over 8% in funding this year. The main focus of the grants continues to be the protection and renewal of the regional and local road network.
Within the budget available to my Department, grant funding is allocated on the basis of grant programmes and not on the basis of the category of road. The allocation of funding across specific roads or across categories of road is a matter for each local authority, having regard to the funding available to it from local and central sources as well as its particular priorities.
The main Regional and Local Road Grant programmes are focussed on specific policy objectives i.e. surface sealing to protect the road surface from water damage, road strengthening based on pavement condition rating to lengthen the life of roads and a Discretionary Grant Scheme which allows for a specified range of activities including winter maintenance. These 3 grant programmes account for most of the grant funding and are allocated taking into account the length of the road network and traffic factors in a particular local authority area. Apart from a requirement that 15% of the road strengthening grant is spent on regional roads, the allocation of funding to different categories of road is entirely a matter for decision by each local authority.
In 2025, Cavan County Council received an allocation of €19,193,150 which is an increase of €1,752,840 on their 2024 allocation and Monaghan County Council received an allocation of €18,008,350 which is an increase of €1,751,255.
161. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport if he will consider prioritising the upgrade of the N24 from Cahir to Limerick ahead of the M20 project, in light of evidence suggesting that the N24 upgrade would deliver greater financial value and regional connectivity benefits for a lower overall investment; if he will outline the comparative cost-benefit assessments between both projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33904/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
It is important to point out that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to investing in all road projects in the current National Development Plan. As such, it is a matter of progressing each individual project through the development lifecycle as opposed to prioritising one over another. Furthermore, both the N/M20 Cork to Limerick Project and the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project are currently in the Design and Environmental Evaluation Phase, at the end of which a Preliminary Business Case for each will be submitted to the Department of Transport. For both projects, this is expected to take place in early 2026. The Preliminary Business Case will detail a full Cost-Benefit Analysis for the relevant project.
The N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project was allocated €2.5 million for 2025.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status of the N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction Project. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
162. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport for further information on the intention to extend the statutory transport planning remit of the National Transport Authority to the metropolitan areas of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34032/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Planning Framework, the National Sustainable Mobility Policy and the Climate Action Plan all commit to extend the statutory transport planning remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA) to the metropolitan areas of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. This would provide the NTA with the same statutory powers it currently exercises in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and will require amending the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (DTA Act).
The Department is currently considering the necessary legislative amendments required to extend the remit of the NTA. Further consideration will be needed on the interplay between central government, local government and the NTA in the context of the extension of the Authority’s remit to the other cities including extending the composition of the NTA Board and the establishment of a National Transport Authority Advisory Council.
As the Deputy is aware local authorities across the country have a fundamentally important role to play in relation to transport and traffic related issues within their statutory areas. All local authorities are the statutory roads authority for their local area and it is local authorities, acting as the sponsoring agencies for projects across all modes of transport, that deliver projects on the ground for their local communities.
The Department is currently working on a Draft General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Dublin Transport authority Act 2008 to extend the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) remit under section 44 of the Dublin Transport Authority Act to enable the NTA to provide public transport infrastructure beyond the Greater Dublin Area (GDA). This amendment has been included on the Summer Legislation Programme for drafting and legal advice has been sought in preparation of the draft Scheme and Memo to go to Government.
This approach will be a first step to enable the NTA to deliver public transport infrastructure in the regional cities. Further consideration will be needed on the wider legislative amendments required to extend the NTA’s transport planning remit including around the composition of the NTA Board and the National Transport Authority Advisory Council for which work in the Department is ongoing.
163. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the number of times he has met with the CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33882/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Since taking office, while I have attended a number of events where the CEO of TII was also present, we have had one official meeting which took place on 19 February 2025.
164. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with public transport operators in relation to these operators charging booking fees for some free travel pass holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34004/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I am responsible for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in day-to-day operational matters of public transport operators, including those related to the operation of commercial bus services, their fare structures, or the acceptance of free travel passes. Further, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has no direct involvement with the free travel scheme on commercial services either.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that non-refundable deposits are not required across Public Service Obligation (PSO) funded bus services. While all PSO transport services, including Local Link services, are part of the Free Travel Scheme (FTS), some commercial bus operators are also part of the Scheme . Those private bus companies that have opted into the FTS are reimbursed directly by the Department of Social Protection for carrying Free Travel passengers.
In relation to rail services, there is no requirement for FTS passengers to book train journeys online in order to use their pass. An allocation of bookings on all Intercity services can be reserved online without a fee for free travel pass/existing valid ticket holders. When this allocation is fully booked, all remaining seats can be reserved by free travel pass/existing valid ticket holders for €2.50 per journey.
I am aware that a number of the commercial bus operators which participate in the FTS require such booking deposits in order for passengers to reserve seats on their services.
However, these private companies operate on a commercial basis and as such decisions regarding fares and booking fees are an operational matter for the companies themselves.
165. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action his Department is taking to progress the North Ring Road in Cork city; the level of funding will be allocated for the coming year in view of the large volume of traffic forced to travel through Mayfield, including traffic heading for the port facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34134/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply updating you as to the latest status of the Cork City Northern Transport Project (formally the Cork Northern Ring Road). Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
166. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if any additional funding will be provided for the expansion of Local Link services in County Cork in the upcoming budgetary process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34080/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport I recognise the importance of boosting connectivity in County Cork, which I am reinforcing through my introductory interactions with Local Link offices nationwide, including in Co. Cork. In the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, this Government has committed to increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns and cities.
Under Budget 2025, the Department has secured a funding package of €658.442 million for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This package includes funding for the continuation of the various fare initiatives, such as the Young Adult Card, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Funding has also been provided to extend free child fares on PSO Services to include those aged 5 to 8-years old, and to support the roll-out new and enhanced bus services under programmes such as BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and new town services.
As with all plans, any additional funding for Local Link services would be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. The NTA also has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including delivering the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and New Town Services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities for the rollout of new and enhanced services, including in County Cork, 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.
