Questions

189. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has a workforce and skills plan to address identified capability gaps; the recruitment targets and timelines contained in the plan; and the extent to which it is intended to build and retain these skills directly within the Authority rather than through consultants, agency or outsourced personnel. [64271/26]

190. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if his Department or the National Transport Authority has assessed the impact of shortages of experienced engineers, planners, surveyors, project managers and other specialist personnel on the cost and delivery timelines of major transport projects; the projects considered most exposed to such shortages; and the measures being taken to mitigate these risks. [6…

191. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the specific skills and capability gaps currently identified within the National Transport Authority, including in project management, engineering, procurement, information technology, digital systems, contract management and major infrastructure delivery; the number of additional personnel required in each identified area; and the measures and timelines in pl…

192. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the actions being taken by his Department and the National Transport Authority to address skills and capacity constraints affecting delivery of the transport capital programme; whether an implementation or workforce plan has been agreed; and the actions, targets, responsible bodies and timelines contained therein. [64274/26]

193. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority achieved its objective of an 80:20 ratio of directly employed staff to outsourced placements in business as usual roles by the end of 2024; the current ratio; and, if the objective was not achieved, the reasons for this and the revised timeline for achieving it. [64269/26]

195. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of additional permanent posts sought by the National Transport Authority in each of the years 2019 to 2026; the number sanctioned in each year; the number subsequently filled; the number remaining vacant; and the average time taken to fill sanctioned posts, in tabular form. [64272/26]

196. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total expenditure by the National Transport Authority on permanent employees and outsourced placements respectively in each of the years 2019 to 2025 and to date in 2026; the expenditure on outsourced placements to be further broken down between business as usual and project based roles; and the current average annual cost of a permanent employee and an ou…

197. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the number of permanent employees employed by the National Transport Authority and the number of outsourced placements engaged, broken down between business as usual and project based roles, at year end in each of the years 2019 to 2025 and currently in 2026, in tabular form. [64267/26]

263. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority carried out an assessment of the cumulative impact on passengers at Balbriggan and Skerries of the April 2025 Dublin Commuter Zone fare changes and the further fare increases due in 2027; and whether affordability and the scale of the cumulative increase were considered in determining the 2027 fares. [65118/26]

274. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the additional fare revenue expected to be generated in 2027 will be used; the amount expected to fund existing services; the amount expected to fund additional or enhanced services; and the specific service improvements or additional capacity, if any, that are expected to be funded from this additional revenue. [65111/26]

275. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the total passenger fare revenue received in 2024 and 2025, the projected passenger fare revenue for 2026 and the projected passenger fare revenue for 2027 following implementation of the NTA Fares Determination 2026, broken down by operator, in tabular form. [65110/26]

277. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the estimated additional fare revenue to be generated in 2027 as a result of the NTA Fares Determination 2026, broken down by operator and service type and the assumptions underpinning these estimates, including projected passenger numbers and any anticipated impact of the fare increases on passenger demand, in tabular form. [65108/26]

247. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has met with Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Luas to discuss and co-ordinate public transport services for major summer concerts and events in 2026; the dates on which such meetings took place; the agencies represented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41348/26]

248. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether a co-ordinated transport plan has been developed between the National Transport Authority, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Irish Rail and Luas operators to facilitate concert goers attending major summer concerts and events in Dublin and other urban centres during summer 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41349/26]

250. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has engaged with concert promoters, venue operators, An Garda Síochána and local authorities regarding transport management plans for major summer concerts and events in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41351/26]

251. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether the National Transport Authority has assessed the capacity of existing public transport services to safely and efficiently facilitate concert attendees travelling to and from major events during summer 2026; whether any gaps or deficiencies have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41352/26]

170. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has assessed delivery capability and performance on the Train Management System project; the outcome of any such assessment; the contingency or alternative delivery options under consideration; the measures being taken to mitigate further cost escalation and delivery risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30627/26]

179. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the current status of the National Train Control Centre and Train Management System project; the revised timeline for commissioning phase 1 and overall completion; the total cost to date and estimated final cost; the actions being taken to ensure delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30626/26]

613. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the National Transport Authority and public transport operators regarding the financial impact of rising fuel prices; the dates and outcomes of such engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23629/26]

304. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport when the NTA expects to launch the non-statutory public consultation process inform the public and stakeholders on the proposed route and obtain their feedback on the proposals in relation to the Luas Lucan project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21665/26]

18. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department or the National Transport Authority has considered establishing a dedicated shuttle bus service linking Rush and Lusk train station with Rush on a timetable aligned with train arrivals and departures; whether such a service has been evaluated in terms of improving accessibility and reducing private car dependency; the steps which will be …

766. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport when the final funding distribution to the NTA under the Sectoral Investment Plan will be confirmed in full, and to set out the expected timeline thereafter for the NTA to publish its detailed investment plan covering all public transport projects within its remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1940/26]

767. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport the performance metrics and reporting arrangements by which the NTA will track and report progress on the delivery of major transport programmes under the National Development Plan between 2026 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1941/26]

768. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport to clarify the way in which community engagement and stakeholder consultation will be integrated into the delivery process for major NTA-led projects within the Sectoral Investment Plan; the mechanisms that are in place to ensure local inputs are considered throughout project development and delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1942/26]

769. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether additional detail can be provided on the NTA's strategic priorities for public transport investment over the period to 2030, specifically on the way these align with targets on sustainability, modal shift, accessibility and climate commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1943/26]