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staffing issues at Cork University Hospital. Deputy Louise O'Reilly, Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy - To discuss proposed increases to public transport fares. Deputy Malcolm Byrne - To discuss the need for improvements to the Dublin to Rosslare rail line. Deputy David Cullinane- To discuss staffing shortages

need to have a debate on the hikes in public transport fares that were announced in the last two weeks. The Minister for Transport needs to explain why he thinks it is acceptable, in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, for fares for bus and train

dispute in relation to criminal legal aid. Deputies Louise O'Reilly, Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy - To discuss proposed increases to public transport fares. Deputy Thomas Gould - To discuss the proposed closure of Sarsfield Court dementia unit. Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss online safety and the regulation

fuel crisis, the Government is cutting taxes on petrol and diesel, which we welcome, but doing nothing to incentivise people to use public transport. Fares are being abolished in Australia in response to the current energy crisis. The same needs to happen here

possible for people to reduce their emissions is vital. That is why when we were in government, the Green Party cut public transport fares, made solar panels cheaper to install and increased funding to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to make energy retrofits a reality for thousands

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

Danny Healy-Rae - To discuss delays in applications to get a date for a driving test. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue - To discuss public transport fare increases in Skerries and Balbriggan. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore - To discuss the environmental degradation of Lady's Island Lake, County Wexford. Deputy James

that have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation, PSO, contracts. However, unlike PSO services - where the NTA sets, monitors, and regulates fares … citizens, including children. Under the programme for Government, our commitments include the roll-out of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children. In recent years, the Government has introduced a range of fare initiatives aimed at improving the affordability

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

nobody welcomes a fare increase but we are making a choice here to continue the progress that we have made in public transport because a low fare is no good if there is not a bus. There are a hell of a lot of parts of this country … well. Crucially, we are going to roll out 140 new and improved services. The fare money is going directly back in to more routes and enhanced routes too, so people using public transport will see the benefits of that too. Deputy O'Gorman did the thing that lots

instead of making those critical investments now that would pay dividends in the future, this Government is penny pinching. Jacking up fares for public transport is the perfect example of this regressive and short-term thinking. These fare increases could have been stopped with investment of just … cost. It wants commuters up and down the country to dig deeper instead. Rather than making life more affordable for people using public transport, the Government is deliberately choosing to increase costs. That choice will not be forgotten, and commuters on buses and trains across the country will

fairer fares, their implementation and an examination of the further expansion of free public transport for children. We have extended the 20% fare reduction and a 90-minute fare on public service obligation services until the end of 2025 so that everyone will benefit. We have also extended … early age. It leads to them continuing to do that into the future. We need to fund public transport services. We are focused on existing fare initiatives and service improvements such as BusConnects. I am pleased to say that tenders are in for three of the BusConnects corridors

users now and the demands. The Minister of State talked about 38% of the costs of the PSO being covered by fares but public transport pays for itself in other ways through reduced congestion, safer roads and lower carbon emissions. The idea that fares need to cover costs

during the fuel crisis - it should have done it a long time ago but it should do it now - is abolish fares for public transport and put on a load of additional buses so the service is made frequent and reliable. The other thing we need

Deputy Canney, and I have said, the recently announced change in fares were the first revision in eight years. The change is aimed at supporting not just the continued expansion but also the improvement of public transport, while maintaining affordability. Any overall increase in revenue generated will … Exchequer. It is, therefore, imperative that there is a rebalancing of the critical equation in how we fund PSO public transport nationally, ensuring that fare revenue continues to make a sustainable contribution alongside significant levels of subsidy, while maintaining the affordability and accessibility of public transport. I would

changes could be considered. A related issue I wish to raise is the significant difference that commuters in Galway are paying for rail fares compared to other parts of the State, particularly Dublin. I had a constituent in touch with me highlighting that rail passengers between Athenry … public transport, why are commuters in Galway paying twice what commuters in Dublin could expect to pay for their rail fares, especially given that public transport is much more limited in the west? Will the Minister of State review this difference in fares and ensure that commuters

first speaking round; not to exceed 3 hours and 34 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Public Transport and Fare Increases, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Statements on Migration and Citizenship (not to exceed 2 hours and 25 minutes … Second Stage) (to conclude at the end of the first speaking round; not to exceed 3 hours and 34 minutes) (Dept of Transport) Thursday evening business shall be the Second Stage of the Forty-first Amendment of the Constitution (Right to Housing) Bill 2026, sponsored by Deputy Rory

must now deal with a postponed division relating to the motion regarding public transport and fare increases. On Tuesday, 29 September 2026, on the question, "That the amendment to the motion be agreed to", a division was claimed and in accordance with Standing Order 85(2), that division

started much-needed investment in our public transport during its time in government, following decades of neglect and underinvestment. It achieved fare reductions on public transport and enhanced Local Link services, investing record amounts and achieving a record 328 million public transport journeys last year. That … that the fare structures are not always equitable, consistent or easy for passengers to understand, as other Deputies have alluded to. I ask the Minister work closely with the NTA to change this. The motion also refers to the proposed transport security force - a dedicated transport police

investigated the cost of a temporary free public transport scheme? What would the estimated cost be? A lot of people who are using public transport are on subsidies at the moment. At the moment, we need people to be able to commute and reduce their energy costs. This … give them the option of plug-in solar. To reduce transport emissions, let us give them the option of reduced fare or free public transport during this economic crisis. Let us accelerate the transition into cleaner heating systems. Yesterday, the SEAI appeared before the climate and energy committee

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 16 September 2026, the child fares that will be reduced as stated in the response; if he anticipates that the fare hikes on public transport will lead to a reduction … public transport as reported by the National Transport Authority, NTA, at the Oireachtas committee hearing on 16 September 2026; if he has considered reversing these proposed hikes; if there will be any other changes to fares as part of budget 2027; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an update on the roll-out of contactless fare payments across public transport services, including buses and trains; the expected timeline for full implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34183/25

Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Transport the expected timeline for the roll-out of contactless fare payments on all public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34135/25

Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to "roll out contactless fare payments on all public transport" [51712/25

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Transport if he will intervene to stop fare hikes of 15% hitting public transport users in 2027, considering cost of living pressures, the recent tax break to motorists, and the imperative from a climate perspective to promote sustainable transport. [64505/26

Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Transport to outline current fare reduction measures, and any further plans, for public transport users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14384/25

Transport the work that has been carried out by his Department to analyse the impact of the recently announced fare increase on the affordability of public transport; if he will publish this analysis; and to outline a date for publication. [64568/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if additional subsidies or fare reductions will be introduced to improve the affordability of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3589/25

carried out by his Department or the National Transport Authority of the projected impact of the January 2027 fare increase on passenger numbers and on progress toward national public transport journey targets; if so, if that modelling will be published; and if he will make a statement

Transport if he is aware of recent increases in intercity bus fares, including on routes serving counties such as Monaghan, namely, route No. 32; the oversight or engagement his Department has with commercial bus operators regarding fare increases; the measures in place to ensure public transport remains affordable

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the number of public transport passengers who have used the 90-minute fare in the year to date; whether he intends on maintaining the 90-minute fare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43122/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the decision to increase the Public Service Obligation fares by an average of 15% from January 2027 is consistent with the target in the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, as updated by the Climate Action Plan

Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to extend the Leap card fare system to areas like Mullingar, and beyond, in order to deliver fairer and more affordable access to public transports to people outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement

Minister for Transport if the inclusion of commercial operators in free fare schemes is being considered under the 40% increase in the allocation for the operation of State-subsidised Public Service Obligation public transport services in Budget 2026. [55602/25

Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Transport the amount of Leap card fare revenue collected in each year since 2016 across all TFI services in respect of credit on cards that was expended on public transport journeys, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the amount the National Transport Authority has estimated would be required in 2027 to maintain public service obligation fares at 2026 levels; whether the Department has sought that amount in the Budget 2027 Estimates process; and if the Minister

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total number and proportion of public transport trips taken in Dublin which are subject to the 90-minute flat fare. [40405/26

Transport to clarify how the NTA intends to ensure integration of TFI Anseo with existing public transport services such as Local Link, Bus Éireann and Dublin Area routes, including fare integration and connections to fixed-route services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1937/26

Budget 2026 PSO funding allocation that will go towards providing new or increased capacity public transport services; the amount that will go towards providing existing services and existing fare reduction schemes; the amount that will go towards addressing funding deficits in the PSO scheme, as confirmed

individuals to help cover the rising costs of taxi services, given that taxi fares have increased by 21% since September 2022, and recognizing the additional challenges faced by disabled individuals in accessing public transportation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35386/25

Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Transport the plans there are to inform the public of the imminent changes in rail fares under the Dublin commuting zone, to be launched at the end of April 2025; when this campaign will begin; the amount being spent

Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a timeline for the extension of free child fares on public service obligation services to children aged five to eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15691/25

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the additional fare revenue projected to be raised in a full year by the average 15% increase in Public Service Obligation fares taking effect in January 2027; the current annual Public Service Obligation subvention; the proportion of the operating

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport if alternatives to the January 2027 fare increase were considered, including the estimated cost to the Exchequer of maintaining Public Service Obligation fares at 2026 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64823/26

Department has assessed the impact of private ticketing systems operated by commercial transport providers on fare integration and passenger accessibility; and the steps being taken to ensure a more unified ticketing system across public and private operators. [8203/25

Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport if he will extend the fare reduction scheme for children under nine years-of-age to include commercial bus operators, given that the scheme currently applies only to public service operators; and if he will make a statement

Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide an overview of the soon-to-be-launched Ennis town public bus service; the hours of operation; the extent of bus stops; the range of vehicles; the expected price fares for all ticket and concessionary passengers