Questions

346. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 630 on April 14 2026, if his attention has been drawn to concerns among CIÉ pensioners regarding delays in the implementation of pension related payment increases; the engagement he and his Department have had with CIÉ and other relevant Departments on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38713/26]

373. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority has considered the introduction of an interim lower cost contactless payment solution, including smartphone based QR ticketing or limited contactless bank card payments on selected public transport services, pending the full rollout of the next generation ticketing programme; if any assessment or indicative costing of such…

374. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the original approved budget, the current approved budget and the projected final cost of the next generation ticketing programme; the total amount expended on the programme to date; the main factors contributing to any increase in projected costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39292/26]

375. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the basis on which the National Transport Authority determined that the existing leap card validator and ticketing infrastructure could not support direct contactless payment by bank card or mobile phone; if any technical or operational assessments were carried out in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39293/26]

376. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if the National Transport Authority examined alternative or lower cost options to facilitate contactless payment by bank card and mobile wallet services, including applications (details supplied), prior to proceeding with the next generation ticketing programme; if any cost benefit analysis or comparative assessment was undertaken; and if he will make a stat…

377. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current expected timeline for the introduction of contactless payment by bank card and mobile wallet services, including applications (details supplied), across Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Luas, DART and Irish Rail services; if a phased rollout is planned across the various public transport operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39295/26…

424. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority or Iarnród Éireann has examined the feasibility of introducing 24-hour DART services serving north Dublin, including the Howth and Malahide lines; whether consideration has been given to the potential benefits for shift workers, public safety, tourism and the nighttime economy; and if he will make a statement on the m…

425. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has assessed the impact the absence of late night and 24-hour public transport services across parts of north Dublin is having on commuters, hospitality workers and local communities; whether expanded overnight DART or bus services are under consideration for the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40124/26]

194. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether an accessibility and equality assessment has been carried out in respect of the proposed interchange arrangements at Howth Junction under the DART+ Coastal North proposals, particularly regarding the potential impact on wheelchair users, older persons and parents with buggies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38684/26]

195. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the engagement his Department has had with Iarnród Éireann regarding concerns raised by residents and commuters about the proposed reduction in direct DART connectivity between Howth and Dublin city centre under the DART+ Coastal North project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38685/26]

196. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the measures being taken by his Department, in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann and An Garda Síochána, to address ongoing antisocial behaviour and passenger safety concerns at DART stations in north Dublin including Howth Junction, Clongriffin and Bayside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38686/26]

197. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken to improve lift reliability and accessibility infrastructure at DART stations in north Dublin, including Howth Junction and Clongriffin, in light of repeated reports of outages and access difficulties for passengers with mobility needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38687/26]

198. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has engaged with Iarnród Éireann regarding the operation of DART service frequencies on bank holidays, particularly in light of commuter demand and increased visitor travel during such periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38688/26]

199. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether additional public consultation or stakeholder engagement is planned in relation to the DART+ Coastal North proposals affecting communities in Dublin Bay North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38689/26]

357. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the rationale for limiting the recent extension of the retirement age for public service drivers to drivers employed by CIÉ companies only; whether consideration has been given to extending similar arrangements across the wider public and community transport sector; whether he recognises the potential benefits such a measure could have for local organisation…

368. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current position regarding the implementation of pension increases for retired Córas Iompair Éireann pension scheme members; whether any issues remain outstanding in relation to the payment of these increases; the engagement his Department has had with CIÉ on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37344/26]

338. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the current status and expected timeline for the rollout of contactless tap and go payment across public transport services, including Dublin Bus, Go Ahead, Luas and Irish Rail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34281/26]

339. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the key factors affecting the implementation of integrated contactless payment across the public transport system; the total expenditure to date on upgrades to the Leap card and ticketing infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34282/26]

340. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department or the National Transport Authority has undertaken any comparative assessment of contactless public transport payment systems in operation in other cities, including London and other European cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34283/26]

364. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether he will examine the use of private wires, modular substations and depot based DC microgrids to accelerate the delivery of charging infrastructure for electric bus fleets; whether such systems could support depots in securing dedicated renewable electricity supply while wider grid reinforcement is being progressed; and if he will make a statement on t…

365. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether consideration is being given to permitting bus depots, Luas depots and other public transport facilities to utilise private wire connections to nearby renewable generation and storage infrastructure in order to provide dedicated charging capacity, reduce pressure on constrained local grids and improve energy resilience for public transport infrastruc…

366. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has engaged with the National Transport Authority, ESB Networks and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities on the potential use of modular substations, battery storage and depot based DC microgrids to prevent delays to the rollout of electric bus infrastructure and reduce the risk of publicly funded electric buses remaining out of …

373. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether he is aware of the frequency and duration of recent DART service curtailments for maintenance works, particularly on the northside of Dublin; the rationale for scheduling such works during peak periods including bank holiday weekends and major events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34623/26]

374. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has engaged with the National Transport Authority and Iarnród Éireann regarding the planning of alternative transport arrangements during DART service disruptions; the requirements that are in place to ensure adequate replacement bus capacity and frequency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34624/26]

375. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport the advance planning and coordination mechanisms that exist between the National Transport Authority, transport operators and relevant stakeholders to mitigate the impact of planned rail maintenance works on commuters; whether the adequacy of alternative transport provision is assessed in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34625/26]