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Minister of State might clarify that. On the wider issue, all Departments are starting to collate their budgets. Is reducing public transport fares a priority for the Minister of State and the Department in this budget? The Minister of State set out the cost for free public transport … expecting miracles from the Minister of State in this budget, but is he looking to reduce some of the public transport fares in budget

seeing one town nearly being pitted against another as a result of this fare structure. We have taken several measures to reduce public transport fares that I am proud of. We did that together in the last Government. I would like to meet the NTA regarding this issue

increase in public transport fares. The new Leap card zonal fare is harshly and dramatically impacting commuters travelling through zones 2, 3 and 4 especially. This impacts the Tánaiste's own constituency. I got a response from the NTA that said it is going to begin a scoping … trying to encourage people to use public transport and not to go backwards. In a previous response, the Tánaiste said he would arrange meetings with the NTA and a response from it on matters relating to this fare structure. It has not happened. I really need some progress

have seen? As a matter of general principle until we get our transport emissions under control, there should be no increase in public transport fares for passengers

have two final questions. First, the last time we debated on Oral Questions I asked the Minister to explicitly rule out public transport fare increases. Has he come to a decision on that? The second question has been rumbling on since Covid. It seems that in the transport

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce a policy to ensure that there is no increase in public transport fares until we are on track to meet our transport-related carbon emissions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Minister to introduce a policy to ensure there is no increase in public transport fares until we are at least on track to meet our transport-related carbon emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter

public transport initiatives the Green Party introduced, which the Minister of State referenced. In 2023 there was a 20% cut to all public transport fares. These were the first cuts since the 1940s. There was also the introduction of the young adult travel card. Will the Minister

take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. The National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation, PSO, contracts. Obviously this statutory responsibility supports the implementation of agreed Government priorities. I assure … transport from an early age. The Government is also continuing funding supports to allow for the continuation of other fare initiatives, such as the 90-minute fare, the young adult and student Leap card, and 20% discounted fares on PSO services, all of which help make public transport

came in the last sentence of a two-minute contribution, and my question was about fare pricing. I know we have seen an increase in the number of people using public transport, which is fantastic, but we need to see more of it. Our emissions are stubbornly high … using public transport by putting up fares is not the way to do it. We have seen increases in train fares for people in Greystones, Kilcoole, Sallins, Kilcock, Balbriggan and Skerries. That is the wrong way to go about trying to encourage people onto public transport

public transport, it is important to state there have been many fare changes in recent years. For example, the Government is expanding free child fares and maintaining the young adult student leap card at 50% off, and there is also a 90-minute fare. These are initiatives … incentivise people to use public transport, which is happening. However, we also have to ensure that the frequency is put in place. For example, to take the rail line from Athenry to Galway as a typical example, we are putting in a passing loop to make sure

NCSE to halt special education classes in south Tipperary. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the introduction of the new fare zones to the public transport system. Deputy Marie Sherlock - To discuss a review of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman - To discuss

Special Education, NCSE, to halt special education classes in south Tipperary. Deputy Aidan Farrelly - To discuss the introduction of the new fare zones to the public transport system. Deputy John Clendennen - To discuss the provision of educational grants for recognised competitions in extracurricular activities. Deputy Marie Sherlock

main, they are and our public transport operators operate very well. We saw record passenger numbers on public transport last year. People are responding because fares are affordable but there are issues from time to time, particularly in relation to our bus fleet and buses not turning … assure the Deputy that is not just focused on Dublin. To be fair to my predecessor in the previous Government, the availability of public transport in rural areas has been transformed. We need to go further, unquestionably, but we see the success and expansion of, particularly, rural link

that ensures there is continuous work. There is no doubt that if we provide the infrastructure for public transport, people will use it. The fares are reasonable. All the time we are trying to get young people to think "If I am going someplace, I will

Absolutely there can be no doubt that the economies of public transport have completely flipped the script over the last few years. We have seen fares come down and the cost of using a car has gone up. It makes more sense for people to use public transport

constituency, who saw significant fare reductions, but there have also been what I regard as anomalies in that some towns have seen significant fare increases. In this regard, the Deputy rightly referred to Greystones and Kilcoole, two towns we know well. The NTA and others will tell … view, we have taken a number of steps to try to help people with the cost of public transport, including the young adult card and the 90-minute fare. We have had money to extend that. We have seen a number of initiatives that have helped to reduce

fares, my focus is on investing in our fleet and infrastructure. That will be Government's focus. This five years to the end of the decade can see a step change in our infrastructure. We have seen some significant projects in Ceannt Station, Galway, and Kent Station, Cork … train station. We are looking at how we can do that better. Affordability in public transport is key. We have to be mindful of the levels of fares. The decision was made to bring in free travel for five-to-eight-years-olds. We want to see what

constituents in Greystones and Kilcoole, they would not be particularly in agreement with him about public transport being a good news story. They have seen an increase of 30% in their fares and children have seen an increase of 200%. It is very hard to sell that

home, but with the shambles that is our public transport service in north Kildare, the Government has left people with no option. Every day I hear about train availability during peak commuting hours and how the fair fares have badly affected people in Sallins and Kilcock in particular … route and people are being left at the bus stop in Caragh as a result. Those who cannot rely on public transport are forced to wait 28 weeks for driving tests in Naas. Last week, a constituent who applied for a test six months ago told me that

thank both Deputies. I, too, acknowledge the work done by the former Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, in developing and bringing forward more public transport initiatives and services and making them more affordable. I want to acknowledge this in the House. Coming back to the question on quarter … annually, before considering increased demand. A large amount of money would be required to provide free transport for everybody. The Government is expanding the child fares, and maintaining new adult fares and the student Leap card 50% off. It is important for students and for young people

providing all citizens with reliable and useful sustainable travel options and public transport is an important part of that. BusConnects is critical to that offering. In budget 2025, €658 million of funding for public service obligation, PSO, in my case was obtained through the Department for Local Link … services, which represents an increase from the €613 million. However, we have been encouraging young people through the fare reduction, the young adult card on commercial bus services and the 90-minute fare until the end of this year. There is also funding for those aged between five

small public service vehicles. The National Transport Authority is the independent regulator for licensing and enforcement for the SPSV industry under the consolidated taxi regulations. That being said, I want to clarify that the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, has taken over the brief for rural transport … licence is that only passengers within a designated range of 10 km can be picked up, as Deputy Kelly said, and a new fare may not be picked up at a drop-off point outside of that area. As Deputy Kelly stated, two licences are required. There

Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport the total cost arising from the 20% reduction of public transport fares to the public and the 50% reduction of public transport to students and young people under 24 years-of-age nationwide; if he is considering making the reduction permanent

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will introduce a policy to ensure that there is no increase in public transport fares until we are on track to meet our transport-related carbon emissions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport when commuters will be facilitated to pay public transport fares using a bank card or phone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22839/25