Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2026
212. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the estimated full-year cost of abolishing parking charges at park and ride facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51343/26]
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, including the provision of park and ride facilities.
As the Deputy may be aware, my department has taken measures to incentivise more people to use public transport to support delivery of affordable, accessible and sustainable transport and also to encourage more people to use public transport to support delivery of our carbon emission targets.
Well situated park-and-ride sites have a role to play in expanding the offering of public transport services. There are a number of factors that account for the success, or otherwise, of a park-and-ride and an appropriate fee level is one of those factors. If people are to be incentivised to use park-and-ride sites then they need to be assured those sites will be available for use as intended. An appropriate fee structure helps with that by discouraging potential misuse of the site if no fee were applied and better creating the link between parking and public transport usage.
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.
