Written Answers Nos. 138-158
138. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the establishment of an integrated strategic transportation office in Cork City to oversee and manage the multi-billion-euro transport projects earmarked for Cork. [46319/26]
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 responsibility for planning and developing public transport infrastructure, and for developing the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy 2040, or CMATS.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a detailed direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply.
Pending this detailed response, I note that in order to support its role in the development of public transport, the NTA has established an office in Cork City, located at 1 Horgan’s Quay, Waterfront Square.
139. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport the measures his Department is taking to support the sustainability and development of rural transport links and community connectivity in Galway east, particularly in more isolated areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38280/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for Rural Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to rural public transport service provision; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally including the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and TFI Local Link services. In light of the NTA responsibilities 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.
140. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Transport the total funding towards local road maintenance and resurfacing that has been allocated to Monaghan and Cavan County Councils in each year since 2020; the allocation provided to these councils for 2026; if he intends to allocate further funds for this purpose to these councils in this calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44958/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor 2026, €718 million was allocated, through the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, for improvement and maintenance, with approximately 90% of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal. This facilitated an increase in funding allocation of €26 million this year for road protection and renewal works.
Funding under this grant programme is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to eligible local authorities. In the main protection and renewal grant categories, that basis is the length of the regional and local roads network within a local authority's area of responsibility. It is not envisaged to change this system.
Cavan County Council was allocated €19,165,275, with €18,755,275 of this for the protection and renewal of regional and local roads.
Monaghan County Council was allocated €17,231,600, with €16,486,600 of this for the protection and renewal of regional and local roads.
Full details of the 2026 allocations are available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/ministers-for-transport-announce-over-15-billion-for-national-regional-and-local-roads/.
Details of the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, specifically the allocations and payments to local authorities, are available in the regional and local road allocations and payments booklets on the Oireachtas Online Public Access Catalogue: http://opac.oireachtas.ie. The 2026 allocations booklet will be lodged shortly.
141. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Transport further to the Strategic Rail Review, the timeframe in which it is intended to provide rail services in County Monaghan. [46020/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in July 2024, my Department, with the support of the European Investment Bank and in conjunction with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and rail stakeholders across the island, oversaw the preparation of the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy. This Strategy was published in December 2025 and outlines the approach to sequencing and optimising the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review in the coming years.
In the short-term to 2030, the Prioritisation Strategy specifies a number of 'Early Interventions' to be delivered in the coming years, including new track passing loops and platforms to boost the rail network’s resilience and capacity. These investments are funded to be fully delivered by 2030 under the NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for Transport, published be my Department in November 2025.
The Prioritisation Strategy also identifies 'Major Projects' with longer lead-in and development timelines. Among these is the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris and Athenry. The development of the Portadown to Derry to Letterkenny rail line is also included in the Rail Review and Prioritisation Strategy as a Major Project to be advanced.
Projects not included in the Prioritisation Strategy, such as reinstating the rail link between Portadown and Mullingar, through Monaghan, are intended to be developed in the longer-term.
It should be noted that individual programmes and projects referred to within the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy will be advanced subject to funding and relevant approvals, as required under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
142. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Transport the number of EV chargers in operation which are publicly accessible across Ireland, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46250/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years and reaching climate targets. Having an effective and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Based on official data provided to the national reporting platform by registered ChargePoint Operators (CPOs), the view of the current number of publicly available recharging points per county is shown below.
|
County |
No. of recharging points |
|
WICKLOW |
121 |
|
WEXFORD |
115 |
|
WESTMEATH |
89 |
|
WATERFORD |
89 |
|
TIPPERARY |
151 |
|
SLIGO |
45 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
51 |
|
OFFALY |
69 |
|
MONAGHAN |
42 |
|
MEATH |
141 |
|
MAYO |
151 |
|
LOUTH |
93 |
|
LONGFORD |
41 |
|
LIMERICK |
133 |
|
LEITRIM |
11 |
|
LAOIS |
65 |
|
KILKENNY |
76 |
|
KILDARE |
176 |
|
KERRY |
132 |
|
GALWAY |
165 |
|
DUBLIN |
754 |
|
DONEGAL |
98 |
|
CORK |
318 |
|
CLARE |
124 |
|
CAVAN |
63 |
|
CARLOW |
54 |
|
Total |
3,367 |
It should be noted that data is provided directly by charge point operators (CPOs) and there are some small differences in approach across CPOs in relation to the format of data provided. The Department of Transport is currently finalising a ZEVI Data Strategy and associated data platforms with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This Strategy is being finalised following consultation and will be published shortly. Once in place, these will enhance TII’s and the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure more accurately. The system will enable measures to be put in place to enhance accuracy of data provided by CPOs in relation to charge-points in near real time and provide these comprehensive data on an Open Data basis.
The Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) sets binding national targets for all Member States to ensure adequate deployment of alternative fuel infrastructure for the road, rail, maritime and aviation sectors. It also defines unified technical standards and requirements for user access, data sharing and payment systems to ensure consistency and interoperability across the EU. The requirements include minimum power output and the maximum distance allowable between recharging pools (one or more recharging stations in one specific location).
In order to achieve Ireland’s EU targets under AFIR and depending on level of power supplied at charging points, it is expected that there will be 3,200 – 6,210 public chargers required nationally by 2030. AFIR requirements state that there should be 1.3kW of capacity on the national network per BEV and 0.8kW capacity per PHEV.
The National EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy outlines the requirements for publicly accessible charging and installing EV Infrastructure that is capable of meeting user needs. This strategy is currently being revised, and a refreshed strategy for 2026-2028 was published for consultation between February and April.Further, the Regional and Local EV Charging Network Plan, which focuses on neighbourhood and destination charging locations, will be led by Local Authorities in partnership with both public and private sectors.
Local authorities will be funded by my Department, through Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, to develop local and regional EV charging network strategies and implementation plans. This process will identify the number of charge points required in each area, including on-street chargers to serve residents without access to private off-street parking.
143. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the latest update on the launch of the N8 airport route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46045/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware that BusConnects is a transformative programme of investment in our bus network and system that will provide much better services across our cities, covering Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway. It is the largest investment in our bus system in the history of the State and is managed by the NTA. The city programmes cover the construction of new bus corridors, new network services, bus electrification and the development of enhanced ticketing in an integrated manner to help maximise the benefits to the public, the customers.
The new route N8 will connect Blanchardstown with Dublin Airport and the NTA continues planning for its introduction, subject to available resources and operational readiness. I fully understand the importance of getting this route up and running, however the NTA need to ensure a prioritisation of resources and maintenance of the network on hand.
The network redesign as part of BusConnects Dublin will improve the existing bus network by providing high frequency spines and new local, orbital and radial routes. Orbital routes are a really important part of the new design as they offer an efficient way for passengers to travel without needing to pass through the city centre.
New bus services in Dublin are already being delivered as part of BusConnects. Since 2021, we have rolled out the first seven phases of the network redesign in Dublin. This has included the northern orbital routes connecting Blanchardstown to the Point Village in 2022 and the western orbital routes connecting Blanchardstown to Tallaght in 2023.
Overall, BusConnects will transform bus services in our cities, allowing passengers to travel more conveniently, quickly and sustainably, and I look forward to its full implementation.
144. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the extension of the battery electric DART to Wicklow Town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46301/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area. In the case of the DART, the NTA fulfils this statutory remit in collaboration with Iarnród Éireann.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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 working days.
Pending this more detailed response, I note that Iarnród Éireann has ordered a total of 285 electric and battery-electric carriages, as part of the DART+ Programme. The first of these carriages, which are currently undergoing safety testing, will be deployed from Dublin to Drogheda from 2027. As more carriages arrive, it is intended to also deploy battery-electric carriages to extend DART services to and from Wicklow from 2029. Iarnród Éireann has also advertised pre-qualification questionnaires for the design and build of the charging infrastructure at Wicklow station to enable the extension of the DART service.
145. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the significant inflationary pressures currently facing local authority roads departments, including Tipperary County Council, and the impact this is having on roads maintenance outputs; and whether consideration is being given to revising the regional and local roads funding model to reflect sustained inflation in construction materials, fuel and contractor costs. [36511/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra148. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be provided to local authorities in 2026 to offset increased fuel, bitumen and construction material costs impacting roads maintenance programmes; if measures are being considered to ensure local authorities can maintain existing levels of road maintenance and restoration works, despite increasing operational costs. [36510/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra167. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Transport if additional funding will be allocated to Mayo County Council and other local authorities to address the backlog of road maintenance in the event of storms and other severe weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46200/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra190. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the provision of additional finances to local authorities for roadworks in 2026 as a result of storm/weather incidents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45925/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 145, 148, 167 and 190 together.
As 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, the operation and management 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 Deputies' question to TII for a direct reply in relation to national roads. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
In accordance with Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Work on such roads is funded from Councils' own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of work to be funded is a matter for local authorities.
For 2026, €718 million was allocated, through the Regional and Local Roads Grant Programme, for improvement and maintenance, with approximately 90% of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal.
Funding under this grant programme is allocated on as fair and equitable a basis as possible to eligible local authorities. In the main protection and renewal grant categories, that basis is the length of the regional and local roads network within a local authority's area of responsibility.
All funding available through this grant programme was allocated to local authorities in February this year.
Local authorities are advised to set aside a contingency, from Department allocations and its own resources, for additional costs that may arise during the course of the year, including inflation and severe weather events.
I am aware of the pressure local authorities are under to deliver their work programmes within their existing budgets this year and that oil price increases may impact contracts, prices, and outputs. Where applicable, mechanisms within contracts for price variation can be utilised by contracting authorities. Road maintenance and rehabilitation is heavily dependent on oil products and bitumen and it is acknowledged that this work is affected by the increasing cost of materials. As such, it is likely that local authorities may have to undertake additional prioritisation to account for this.
146. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken to improve accessibility across the public transport network, including bus, rail and Luas services; the progress made in ensuring that stations, stops, vehicles and passenger information systems are fully accessible to persons with disabilities and reduced mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46295/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 and the Public Transport Regulation Act 2009, the Oireachtas assigned statutory responsibility to the National Transport Authority (NTA) for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network and public transport infrastructure. The NTA in turn works with the relevant public transport operators, for example Bus Éireann, who have responsibility for day-to-day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.
In light of the NTA's over-arching statutory responsibilities for accessible public transport, including bus and rail infrastructure and vehicles, 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.
147. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status and timeline for delivery of the National Train Control Centre and associated rail traffic management system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46182/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), including the National Train Control Centre, or NTCC.
Pending this more detailed reply, I note that a three-month software testing period is now ongoing. Decisions on software acceptance and future commissioning phases will be taken in mid-July and it would be premature to discuss schedule and cost implications for the project in advance of this.
The National Train Control Centre building was completed in November 2022, close to its initial target date and budget. Bringing the centre into full operation has been delayed by slower than projected progress in developing and rolling out the new traffic management system, which is the software that integrates a range of complex railway systems, such as signalling and communications.
Following an initial meeting with the National Transport Authority, and the contractor Indra last August, where I expressed my dissatisfaction at the rate of progress, I met with Indra again in January and reiterated the importance of successful delivery of the TMS as soon as possible.
A re-baselined programme was agreed between Iarnród Éireann, the NTA and Indra in November 2024, breaking the project into eight discrete commissioning phases to improve deliverability and realise benefits incrementally. The contractor delivered software to Iarnród Éireann in mid-April to support the planned implementation of Commissioning Phase 1 on the Rosslare line in early 2027.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter and the specific queries raised by the Deputy, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a direct, detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
149. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport the measures he is taking to achieve a just transition in transport including targeted supports to make EVs accessible and affordable for low and middle-income households and high mileage, car dependent users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45498/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraClimate action and sustainability are key components across the work of my Department, with reducing emissions from the sector being a priority in line with the Climate Action Plan.
It has been widely acknowledged that transport is a particularly difficult sector to decarbonise. The development of the transport chapters of Climate Action Plan 2023, and the subsequent updates of CAP24 and CAP25, identified and set out policies intended to put the sector on a pathway to achieve an emissions reduction of 50% by 2030, using an Avoid-Shift-Improve framework where the aim is to:
• Avoid generating unsustainable additional transport demand through, for example, better spatial, urban, and land-use planning.
• Shift to more sustainable modes of transport, such as active travel and public transport.
• Improve the efficiency of residual vehicle journeys through widespread electrification and the use of renewable alternative fuels.
The Government is fully committed to supporting the transition to zero-emission and the ambitious target to have 30% of private car fleet switched to electric by 2030.
Over €120m has been allocated in 2026 to support the continued transition to EVs which includes funding for EV grants and EV charging infrastructure. This underpins the Government's commitment to making electric vehicles accessible to all.
It is also important to note that EV purchase costs have significantly reduced in recent years due to the coming on stream of new EV brands and models from a variety of manufacturers, including smaller and lower cost EVs.
Current incentives to support the continued transition to electric vehicles and for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure include:
•A purchase grant for battery electric vehicles (BEVs);
•A Home Charger purchase grant scheme;
•VRT relief of up to €5,000 for the purchase of BEVs;
•eSPSV grant scheme – a grant for taxi drivers to make the switch to an EV, including wheelchair accessible vehicles;
•Low rate of annual motor tax.
Additionally, the Pilot ICE2EV scheme, announced on 3rd June 2026 and funded under the Climate Action Fund, is a capped scrappage scheme offering up to €8500 in support, comprising a €5000 scrappage payment and up to €3,500 in SEAI EV purchase grant to incentivise the replacement of older, higher emission vehicles with new electric vehicles.
EV incentives are kept under regular review to ensure they are providing best value for money to the exchequer.
150. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Transport when he expects the rollout of the A spine of the BusConnects programme in Dublin; if there are any operational delays preventing its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46346/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the provision of public transport infrastructure and services within the Greater Dublin Area, including the BusConnects Dublin programme.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
151. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport for his assessment of the new Citylink bus service in Mayo serving Ballina-Galway that replaced Bus Éireann’s route 52; if signage for bus stops and new timetables can be upgraded along the route for those who wish to use the service; the reason the replacement service no longer stops in Straide; if a review of the new timetable will be carried out to identify improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46353/26]
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.
Bus Éireann operates both Public Service Obligation services funded by the State subvention and Expressway intercity services which operate on a commercial basis and do not receive any State subvention. I am aware that Bus Éireann recently announced the withdrawal of some services which operate under its Expressway service. This decision was taken following a financial and operational review carried out by Bus Éireann with regard Expressway performance over recent years, which sought to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the company as a whole.
The National Transport Authority are the licencing authority for the commercial bus sector. As is the case with any such commercial route withdrawals, the withdrawal of these routes triggered the NTA’s Public Service Obligation (PSO) Determination process, the outcome of which has been published on the NTA's website.
Citylink announced in May that it was granted approval by the NTA to operate five additional daily services across two routes in its network, one of which will include three additional daily return services on the company’s Galway-Ballina route, and two additional daily return services on its Castlebar-Dublin/Dublin Airport route.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
152. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the total number of electric vehicle (EV) charging points at disabled parking locations; the number of these charging points per county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46278/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra188. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Transport the action being taken by his Department to ensure that there are electric vehicle (EV) charging points at disabled parking locations nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46279/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 188 together.
The Government is fully committed to supporting a significant expansion and modernisation of the EV charging network over the coming years and reaching climate targets. Having an effective, accessible, and reliable charging network is an essential part of enabling all drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles.
While a breakdown on the provision of charging points at disabled parking locations is not currently available, public funding for universal design in EV charging infrastructure is a critical aspect of the transition to electric vehicles.
In Ireland, public funding support for EV charging stations is directly tied to the Universal Design Guidelines for EV Charging Infrastructure. This means that projects receiving public investment are expected to incorporate universal design principles as part of delivery. These guidelines summarise key considerations for accessibility when installing electric vehicle charging stations, including the design of the charging station and accessibility of the site. This approach supports a transition that is inclusive and that will see infrastructure funded today remains usable and fit for purpose in the future.
Based on official data provided to the national reporting platform by registered ChargePoint Operators (CPOs), the number of publicly available recharging points in Ireland as of end May is 3,367. It should be noted that data is provided directly by charge point operators (CPOs) and there are some small differences in approach across CPOs in relation to the format of data provided.
The Department of Transport is currently finalising a ZEVI Data Strategy and associated data platforms with Transport Infrastructure Ireland. This Strategy is being finalised following consultation and will be published shortly. Once in place, these will enhance TII’s and the Department’s ability to monitor this infrastructure more accurately. The system will enable measures to be put in place to enhance accuracy of data provided by CPOs in relation to charge-points in near real time and provide these comprehensive data on an Open Data basis.
153. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport for an update on plans to improve bus service frequency in Newcastle, Rathcoole and Saggart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45482/26]
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, including BusConnects.
BusConnects is a transformative programme of investments in the bus services across five cities in Ireland, including Dublin. In each city the programme will involve a mix of network redesign, new electric bus fleet, and the provision of segregated bus and cycling facilities to support more efficient journey times for sustainable transport modes.
Steady progress has been made in developing and implementing BusConnects Dublin in recent years.
In relation to BusConnects Dublin, which is the most advanced of the programmes, there have been some positive developments recently, with An Coimisiún Pleanála having approved all 12 of the BusConnects Dublin Core Bus Corridor Schemes. The first of these Schemes, the Liffey Valley to City Centre Core Bus Corridor scheme construction started in December 2025, while the contract for the second, the Ballymun-Finglas Core Bus Corridor, was signed in December 2025 and it will enter construction in the coming months.
The first seven phases of new bus service routes as part of the bus network in Dublin have been implemented. The NTA rolled out Phase 6A, the E-Spine (Ballymun and Santry to Bray and Dún Laoghaire) in January 2025. Phase 7, the F-Spine (Finglas to Tallaght) rolled-out in October 2025.
Fundamentally the reliability of our bus services requires the type of bus priority measures introduced under BusConnects and we remain fully committed to building on the positive changes and delivering a public transport system that is responsive to passenger needs.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, 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.
154. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport to outline the measures being taken to improve the public transport services serving Kilcock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46311/26]
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 light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
155. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the way in which his Department determines whether funding for public transport should increase in advance of the yearly budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45938/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment in public transport nationwide is an all time high. The 2026-2030 National Development Plan outlines a €24.3 billion investment in Ireland's transport sector, with a focus on enhancing public transport and active travel. This marks a transformative moment for Ireland’s transport system, delivering sustainable and accessible travel options to connect us all. Additionally, as secured in Budget 2026, the PSO programme and associated services are being supported by an unprecedented increase in funding of €940 million, a 43% increase compared to last year.
The focus for 2026 is on stabilising and strengthening the PSO position, ensuring services already in place can operate reliably and sustainably, and progressing improvements that are already in train. We are therefore focused on consolidating and strengthening the current network, while progressing improvements already underway, including Phase 7 BusConnects route adjustments and the new Mullingar town service. The NTA will continue to prioritise improvements, within its €940 million allocation.
With over 363.5 million journeys undertaken in 2025, supported by the PSO programme, Ireland’s public transport system is at a pivotal point. Growing passenger demand, urban congestion, and increasing reliance on public transport for commuting and essential travel highlight the need for reliable and sustainable services.
In this context, maintaining and strengthening the existing network is essential to safeguard the delivery of high-demand services to ensure they can operate effectively, while supporting longer-term reforms to enhance capacity, accessibility, and efficiency across the system. The PSO funding allows the NTA to operate the network on a sustainable basis and to prioritise any necessary changes in line with operational capacity and passenger needs.
In terms of Budget 2027, the funding allocation will be subject to the annual Budgetary and Estimates process. As is standard in all budgetary deliberations between Departments and State agencies, such as the NTA, submissions covering all aspects of service provision are reviewed as part of this annual estimates process. As such, planning for future new and enhanced services are a matter for the NTA, taking account of available funding, operational readiness, and driver availability.
I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens.
156. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport if there is scope to deliver standalone bus services for communities in Clonburris and Adamstown pending delivery of DART+ South West; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45481/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the Programme for Government. While my Department sets the overall policy direction and funding framework for the delivery of public transport services nationwide, it is the NTA that have the statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.
In this context, we secured an unprecedented allocation of €940 million for PSO services in Budget 2026, a significant 43% uplift in the allocation from Budget 2025. This allocation will ensure that existing public transport services can operate reliably and sustainably throughout the year in the face of growing passenger demand and increased operational costs.
With over 363.5 million journeys undertaken in 2025, Ireland’s public transport system is at a pivotal point. Growing passenger demand, urban congestion, and increasing reliance on public transport for commuting and essential travel highlight the need for reliable and sustainable services.
The focus for 2026 is on stabilising and strengthening the PSO position, ensuring services already in place can operate reliably and sustainably, and progressing improvements that are already in train. We are therefore focused on consolidating and strengthening the current network, while progressing improvements already underway, including Phase 7 BusConnects route adjustments and the new Mullingar town service. Within its allocated resources, the NTA will continue to prioritise operational improvements, where possible, taking account of available funding, operational readiness, and driver availability.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's query to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
157. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport his Department’s plans to reduce the frequency of ‘ghost buses’ in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46378/26]
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.
Notwithstanding the above, I do understand and appreciate that some customers may have experienced issues with regard cancellations and reliability. A range of factors can contribute to a decline in service performance, such as congestion, and a shortage of drivers or mechanics preventing services from operating to schedule. The NTA are working hard with operators to address these issues, and holds weekly operational meetings to discuss performance, understand challenges and identify where improvements can be made.
My Department is also working closely with the NTA to try to address these issues through initiatives such as the Public Transport Workforce Taskforce which aims to address recruitment challenges for drivers and mechanics; and planned improvements to the vehicle location system under Next Generation AVL, which will enhance the accuracy of real-time passenger information.
Further, in instances where performance drops, under their contractual arrangements, financial penalties are rigorously applied unless the cause of the loss of performance is outside of the control of the operator. For example, if a bus service doesn’t operate due to circumstances within the operator’s control, a deduction is applied equivalent to the cost of the cancelled service. The contracts also provide for deductions to be made when punctuality and reliability targets are not met.
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.
158. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of the recent report by the Just Transition Commission "Towards a Just Transition in Transport"; if he agrees with the conclusions of the report; the steps he will take to implement its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45497/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note the ambition of the Just Transition Commission report, "Towards a Just Transition in Transport: how can Ireland create a transport system, that is fair, accessible and sustainable for all. I agree with its central tenet, that it is not just about reducing emissions or decarbonising vehicles, that it is an opportunity to create a system that is fairer, more inclusive and more resilient.
In the context of delivering a just transition in transport, it is vital that we investment at scale in public transport infrastructure and services to ensure that climate action is fair, inclusive, and improves accessibility for all. In order to achieve these goals, we are investing significantly to support the progression of major public transport projects such as DART+, BusConnects, MetroLink and Luas extensions from planning through to construction, helping to deliver a more sustainable, accessible and integrated transport system.
The NDP commits to investing funding of approximately €10 billion for public transport infrastructure over the same period, in addition to €2 billion for MetroLink, through the Infrastructure Climate and Nature Fund.
The NTA’s capital investment plan to 2030, which will be published later this year, will provide further detail on planned investment in public transport and will align with the funding priorities set out in the Department’s Sectoral Plan and wider Government policy objectives.
This Government is committed to continuing the roll-out of the Connecting Ireland Rural Mobility Plan and increasing Local Link services in rural areas to better connect villages, towns, and cities.
€940 million of funding for Public Service Obligation and TFI Local Link services was secured in Budget 2026, including €31 million for rural transport service provision. This investment underpins our ongoing commitment to Connecting Ireland, which has been a major success story. Since 2022, 185 new or enhanced services have been delivered, connecting over 240 towns and villages to the public transport network. These services include 61 new healthcare connections, 41 links to higher education, and 71 connections to rail services. Increased services have led to exponential growth in passenger numbers, with more than 8 million passenger journeys made on Connecting Ireland routes in 2025.
As part of Connecting Ireland, and with funding under the Climate Action Fund, Smart Demand Responsive Transport is currently being piloted in three areas. Unlike traditional bus services, TFI Anseo doesn’t follow a fixed route. Instead, it travels wherever passengers need to go within the service area.
There are three aspects to improving transport accessibility - ensuring a universal design approach toward all new infrastructure, addressing legacy infrastructure deficits and providing supports for independent travel on the networks. We have an ambitious programme of investment planned for the next five years, all of which will be adhere to the principles of universal design and therefore help deliver a more inclusive transport network in the years ahead. We have increased funding under the Accessibility Retrofit programme by 67% in 2026 as compared to 2024. We will maintain that increased level of funding under the new National Development Plan to ensure that disabled people will be able to ‘turn up and go’ just like non-disabled people.
The Government launched the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People, the NHRSDP, in September 2025. The Department of Transport is the Pillar Lead for Pillar 5 ‘Transport and Mobility’ which emphasises the importance of applying Universal Design principles and taking a ‘Whole of Journey Approach’ to ensure that disabled people, older people any those with reduced mobility can connect to educational, employment, health, and recreational services.
Having affordable public transport is very important and we have introduced a number of public transport fare reduction initiatives, including the Young Adult Card, all of which help people with hidden disabilities who may not qualify under the Free Travel Scheme.
I would like to affirm the Government's strong commitment to active travel; €360 million has been ear-marked per annum to the development of walking and cycling facilities. This amounts to a €1.8 billion investment between now and the end of the decade, building on over €1 billion which has already been invested in the sector since 2021. This significant investment has delivered nearly 1,100 km of new walking and cycling infrastructure, alongside hundreds of junction upgrades and additional pedestrian crossings, as well as supporting behavioural change programmes and the very successful Safe Route to Schools initiative.
In general, the main focus of active travel investment will be to support high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure, for everyday trips, in villages, towns and cities, particularly in designated growth settlements, with a view to promoting the greatest potential modal shift to active travel.
The National Sustainable Mobility Policy action plan also aims to expand the Greenway network, establishing links to towns and villages. In fact, several of the concerns highlighted in the report are reflected within the latest iteration of the Action Plan, with clear milestones and deadlines to address. The Action Plan also supports the delivery of over 40 transport-related commitments in the Programme for Government.
The effects of increased investment levels in active travel and greenway infrastructure in recent years can be seen in every county. Improving infrastructure is critical in promoting sustainable transport modes and helping to reduce transport emissions as mandated for in the Climate Action Plan.
Active travel schemes also provide their local communities with an array of benefits including providing safe facilities for students to travel to schools, providing healthy and sustainable options for short local trips, contributing to improvements in health and wellbeing and creating a more pleasant and peaceful environment for residents and communities.
The Government is fully committed to delivering active travel infrastructure to connect people, businesses, and communities in a sustainable manner. Active Travel projects are not only transport initiatives but also represent strategic investments in public health, tourism, climate resilience, and connectivity.
Similarly, the Greenways network is expanding year on year with over 400km of Greenway infrastructure now available. The investment of €62 million in our Greenways network in 2026 will support the delivery of the National and Regional Greenways Programme consisting of 55 greenway schemes at various stages of development. The allocation will also enable delivery of active travel infrastructure on national roads, and progress on the National Cycle Network (NCN). The NCN aims to deliver a cohesive network between our towns and cities and will include many existing and planned greenway routes. Cycle Connects represents the intra-urban cycling network (in all regions except the Greater Dublin Area) which sets out routes within urban centres in each county.
The development of Moving Together is a policy response to the recommendations of the OECD and will provide an overarching direction for achieving fair and equitable efficiencies in our transport system. It is guided by four key principles: Just Transition; Accessibility and Inclusion; Rural Recognition; and Economic and Financial Sustainability.
The Strategy is grounded in these principles, with a particular emphasis on a just transition. It will guide, support, and enable relevant authorities to implement demand-led measures at national, regional, and local levels to achieve emissions reduction targets alongside wider wellbeing benefits.
The Moving Together Strategy also considers the user-pays and polluter-pays approaches and includes an action to “review the current range of taxes and charges applying to transport.” Ultimately, responsibility for taxation matters, including any proposals such as levying taxes on weight, rests with the Department of Finance in this regard.
The actions that my Department has taken, and continues to take, align very closely with the recommendations of the report and I am wholeheartedly committed to delivering on the type of just transition envisaged.
