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budget of this year has provided for the continuation of the free child fares on PSO services. The Deputy raised commercial bus operators. The previous Government decision did not include provisions for extending free travel for children reliant on commercial bus operators. While the NTA is responsible … licensing commercial bus services, any decisions regarding fares charged by these services are managed by commercial bus operators themselves, who largely operate without State subvention. Notably, the young adult card scheme was broadened three years ago to include eligible services operated by commercial bus operators

urban commuters, yet is undermined by outdated policies and unequal treatment. Let us start with the unfair exclusion of commercial operators from public fare reduction schemes. This has created a two-tier public transport system. Passengers who rely on private operators, many in rural and urban areas … from a competitiveness perspective. This is not the situation at present as a result of the unequal and unfair application of the 20% fare reduction scheme to customers of NTA-licensed public transport services. If this is not addressed, it will further undermine the sustainability of commercial

been given under Standing Order 39 and the name of the Member in each case: Deputy Grace Boland - To discuss the national fare structure for train fares announced by the NTA. Deputy Erin McGreehan - To discuss the distribution of the shingles vaccines for the over-66 population. Deputy

have seen the extension of contactless fare payments in cities such as London, Edinburgh, Barcelona and Milan, as well as in the Netherlands. I am looking for the expected timeline for the roll-out of contactless fare payments on all public transport

tabling this motion and giving us the chance to have this discussion. The Minister of State said the implementation of the new fares strategy is making fares fairer. It is for some people, definitely, but for the people I represent in Dublin Fingal West, since Darragh O'Brien

fair, kick-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 … only approximately 40 km difference in the distance travelled. I have been in touch with the NTA about this. It acknowledged 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

success story, but we could do with two more in the morning and the evening in order to meet peak capacity. Regarding rail fares, I welcome the fact that after a recent campaign, we are looking at redoing student fares in the run-up to the new school

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. This is an issue that has to be looked at again. We cannot increase fares

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, as the Deputy

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

service improvements have been introduced since 2022, meaning approximately 600,000 people now have access to new or enhanced bus services. Reduced fare initiatives have also been introduced, particularly for young people, and the 90-minute fare has been extended to the end of 2025. These improvements have

million has been provided for the PSO, up from €613 million the year before. We have seen a significant reduction in public transport fares. I will extend free fares to five- to eight-year-olds, a measure brought forward by the previous Minister. We will also look

national fare structure for train fares announced by the NTA will see the implementation of the Dublin city zone later this year. Skerries and Balbriggan, two towns in my constituency of Dublin Fingal West, have been excluded from the Dublin city zone; unlike Maynooth, which

public service obligation, PSO, and Transport for Ireland Local Link services. That is a significant increase on previous budgets. It also covers various fare initiatives, such as the young adult card and the 90-minute fare, until the end of 2025. The Airport Hopper bus services that

thank the Deputy. I am familiar with that issue in north County Dublin. The National Transport Authority conducted significant work on a fare determination policy, which the previous Government progressed. I will ask Deputy O'Brien, in his new role as transport Minister, to respond to the Deputy … come into town. I will ask the Minister, with the NTA, to respond to the Deputy's concerns in the context of overall fare policy

properly expand renewable energy, including offshore wind, without delay. It requires actively promoting active travel and public transport, not increasing public transport fares as the Government has. Most importantly, it requires us to choose those who are struggling over investors who want to boost their own coffers

benefit to Drogheda. Rail services have improved. There has been a 40% increase in passenger numbers on the hourly Enterprise service. The fairer fares initiative last year significantly reduced costs for commuters, particularly rail commuters, in Drogheda and Dundalk, which was widely welcomed but was not mentioned

Government forgot last year; the public sector workers still left without any pay deal; the commuters facing a 15% increase in public transport fares; and renters facing eviction into homelessness. What the Government produced will come as cold comfort to workers like Martina, who contacted me today

retrofits. It is just 2% at a time when applications have doubled. Just a month since the National Transport Authority, NTA, announced that fares would go up by an average of 15% in January, the Government did nothing to make public transport and active travel more affordable

Instead of ensuring citizens have access to affordable transport, the Government expects the public to foot the bill. Public transport fares will increase in January. In Donegal, where there is awful public transport, barely enough rural services to provide any help to the rural community, it is shocking

have ensured the protection of about 1.5 million people who use public transport for free and are eligible for free or reduced fare travel. Between the significant additional funding received through both the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and the Department of Transport, we are doing

worth, in effect, €250 for the year or about €5 per week. It is not even enough to cover the recent commuter fare hikes. The cost of energy, rents and groceries are soaring. This is not a budget that makes housing affordable, tackles other priorities such

still have no sign of BusConnects. It is still delayed until 2028. It was initially promised in 2025. We now have a fare increase that is 15% above inflation. Loads of well-populated urban areas in Limerick have no public transport. The Government should have front-loaded that

button for the heating, immersion or cooker are not winners today. Nor are public transport users facing down €70 million worth of transport fare hikes. Who does win? For as long as the Government relies on the private market to meet the public need, the private market will

householders. I call it a €4.80 budget and I will tell the House why. There is the 15% increase in public transport fares that the Government intends to plough ahead with in January. The Government has failed to address the cost of living. There is no reduction

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the rollout of contactless fare payment on public transport systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26327/26

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport the breakdown of the fare increases or decreases on the Bus Éireann 111 service over the past five years in County Meath, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26349/26

Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Transport his plans to reduce bus fares in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26350/26

Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport if the 50% reduction in fares for 18-25-year-olds with a young adult Leap card is a permanent measure that will continue in 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26545/26

Minister for Transport the steps being taken to ensure that app-based taxi platforms provide accurate information and prevent misleading practices that inflate fares (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18980/26

Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Transport if his Department will investigate changes to commission fares by a company (details supplied); the specific oversight in regulating changes in commission taken by taxi operators; if his Department recognises the significant impact this has on the income of taxi

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport given of evidence that zonal fares for Skerries and Balbriggan are disproportionately higher on a per kilometre basis than for nearby stations such as Rush and Lusk, whether he accepts that this creates an unfair burden on commuters in Skerries

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if he will rule out fare hikes in 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15312/26

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

Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Transport if there are any plans to enact legislation to mandate full transparency concerning the fixed-fare algorithm. [12343/26

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport the engagement he has had with Bus Éireann in relation to reducing fares on Bus Éireann routes as of January 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8007/26

Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Transport the engagement he has had with Iarnród Éireann in relation to reducing fares on InterCity routes as of January 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8008/26

Transport Authority show any increase in ticket sales or passenger boardings at Rush and Lusk railway station since the 2025 increase in rail fares affecting Skerries commuters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3372/26

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

Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence as part of culture changes within the Defence Forces the substantial changes across HR structures their fare or primary carers within the Defence Forces; and how primary carers are considered with regard to career progression and equality within the Defence Forces

report on the meeting (details supplied) between the Department of Transport officials and the NTA regarding the introduction of the fixed-fare model; if he plans to bring in any legislative changes in response to the taxi industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Transport the total fare revenue from bus services in the greater Dublin area from 2020 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1640/26

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

increase in the number of parking spaces in the station car park taking into account the rise in demand for parking since the fare increases for Skerries commuters and the expected population growth in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1953/26

Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Transport whether compensation or fare adjustments are available to passengers who have incurred additional costs or inconvenience as a result of prolonged ticket machine outages at Skerries railway station; whether complaints data is recorded and reviewed by Iarnród Éireann

Daly asked the Minister for Transport the engagements he has had with the taxi industry in relation to the introduction of the fixed fare model since the six day set of disruptions was called off; the dates on which these meetings took place; who was present

Deputy Cormac Devlin 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. [73745/25

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has considered extending the free fares for children under nine years-of-age to commercial bus operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71325/25

Transport if officials or agencies under his remit, including the National Transport Authority, have conducted a cost-benefit analysis on extending the free fares scheme to include commercial bus operators for children under nine years-of-age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71326/25

asked the Minister for Transport the safeguards which are in place to ensure that passengers are not financially penalised through incorrect or maximum fares, where Leap card machines are unavailable due to equipment failure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71999/25