Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
323. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to facilitate multimodal travel during peak times, including bike-train journeys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29496/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s overall framework for expanding provision of sustainable transport options is set out in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, published in 2022. The second Action Plan under this Policy was published in March and sets out 95 actions designed to further advance sustainable mobility across areas such as infrastructure, services, spatial planning, behaviour change, accessibility, and data. It reaffirms the Government’s commitment to investment in transformative public transport and active travel initiatives, which will serve to facilitate improved multi-modal transport over the five-year lifetime of the Plan. In addition, the Plan includes several actions to support the development of shared mobility services, building on the Policy Statement on Shared Mobility and the Provision of Hubs published in 2025.These include two projects – the Regional Cities Shared Micromobility Schemes and the National Mobility Hubs Pilot Programme – which will involve substantial investment to support the provision of shared e-bikes, EVs and e-scooters in key locations including at public transport interchanges.
Increased funding for Active Travel measures in recent years has seen a significant improvement in the number of footpaths, cycle lanes, urban greenways and connected active travel networks being delivered across the country. This investment has been made with a view to increasing modal shift away from private car use, which should result in a reduction in transport emissions as well as decreased congestion levels. Over €290 million has been allocated nationally to Active Travel measures in 2026 alone. This significant level of funding aims to provide an alternative sustainable transport option to all transport users, including commuters, either for whole journey or last-mile trips alongside public transport journeys.
Given the National Transport Authority's (NTA) 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 - I have also 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.
