Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2025
311. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total cost to the Exchequer of PSO subventions to public transport providers in each of the past five years; and the estimated cost for 2025 and 2026. [52135/25]
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. This includes scheduling and timetabling, which is carried out in conjunction with the relevant transport operators — namely Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, and Go-Ahead Ireland.
The NTA has entered into contracts with these operators and provides subvention for services that form part of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) network. The total Exchequer funding provided to the NTA for the period 2020–2024 is publicly available in the NTA’s Annual Reports & Financial Statements (which can be accessed via their website or the Oireachtas library) and the PSO allocation for 2025 is €658.442 million.
Given the NTA’s contractual arrangements and its responsibility in this area, I have also forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for a direct response with a more detailed breakdown. Please advise my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
