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that on the record. The Minister wrote to the National Transport Authority, NTA, to request clarification on the regulatory position on the Uber fixed-price fare for the information of taxi operators and public reps alike. In the response to his letter, the Minister was advised … small public service vehicles. That is to take place today. I am sure the Deputy will agree that it is important that these discussions be allowed to take place without feeling pressure from anybody, including anybody in the House. The advisory committee on small public service vehicles

options and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, in budget 2025 the Department of Transport secured €658 million in funding, an increase from €613 million for 2024. This funding supports the continuation of the 20% fare reduction … people off. It is about the experience we want to give passengers if we hope to get more and more people to use public transport. I will, however, bring these matters back to the Minister. The Department's investment of €658 million in the PSO and Local Link

projects, along with others provided for in the NDP review sectoral investment plan for transport, will help to provide a high-quality, connected public transport system for all passengers and help to alleviate congestion. Regarding services, an unprecedented funding allocation of €940 million for PSO services was secured … number of journeys has continued to grow steadily and demonstrates how the public are taking positive steps in making the switch to using public transport. I would have to concur with Deputy Whitmore's comments. She is from County Wicklow and I am from County Cavan

sounding exercise is being progressed by the Department of Transport for publication in the coming weeks. This exercise will seek views on the specification required to meet expected demand for the service in terms of aircraft capacity, fare structures, frequency and timing of services. It is also expected … Lochlainn will know, following this, it is anticipated that a tender for the PSO air service will be published by the Department of Transport early next year, with a view to services commencing by October 2026, or earlier if operationally feasible. The Deputy has been a long-time

constituents of Dublin Fingal West will be encouraged to use public transport. I understand that distance travelled is one of the criteria in establishing zones, but it seems incredibly unfair that the fares of students travelling two stops from Rush-Lusk over the zone border to Balbriggan have

specific issue, approximately €660 million has been assigned for the 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

glad the Minister for Transport is here. He was not here when I raised, on behalf of the taxi drivers of this country, the issue of Uber and its attempt to undermine the regulated taxi industry and the livelihoods of nearly 20,000 taxi drivers. On Saturday, along … livelihoods given the efforts of Uber to undermine the regulated fare structure. What they are asking for, which is a win-win for everybody, is that there would be a not-for-profit, publicly-run, National Transport Authority-run app, which all of them would sign

under budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured over €658 million of funding for public service obligation and TFI Local Link services, an increase from over €613 million in 2024. This package included funding for the continuation of the various fare initiatives, such as the young adult card … minute fare until the end of 2025. Funding has also been provided to extend free child fares on public service obligation, PSO, services to include those aged five to eight years old and to support the roll-out of new and enhanced bus and rail services under programmes

maintaining a fare strategy that is fair and equitable. We are committed to helping to ensure that the pricing structure supports social inclusion and the modal shift, whether it is in Cork, Galway, Dublin or Offaly. It does not matter where. For us, our public transport provision … Deputy makes back to the Department. We are committed to improving the offerings for people. We have a very good model of fare strategy, and if there are improvements to be made, let us make those happen

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

gone before. They are using AI and behavioural patterns of individual drivers. They are following the types of fare they normally take and then sending them fares. They are completely individualising it. The CEO of Uber talked about offering the right trip at the right price … Transport not meet the taxi drivers yesterday rather than sending his officials to the taxi driver committee? Will the Government ensure that the publicly managed and regulated system of taxi driving is maintained? Will it ensure that algorithms are not allowed to decide the fare structure in this

these companies to bring in this fixed-fare model. Will Government develop a publicly managed NTA taxi hailing app? Why rely on these massive corporations that are only interested in greed and profit to set the standards for public transport in this country

reach states that the Minister for Transport issued a letter to the NTA on 19 November last asking it to clarify the regulatory position on the Uber fixed price fare for the information of taxi operators and public representatives alike. We await that clarification because the taxi drivers

changes that happened in July 2026 in Cork. They make the fares cheaper and make it easier for people to use multimodal transport. If there are issues with buses not coming on time we have discussed that earlier and we are working on that. The cost for children … equivalent adult fares. These can offer very good value for some frequent users. It is important to say this Government has invested €941 million in the PSO levy in 2026. That is a huge increase from 2025 and we will continue to invest in public transport. There

mile and last mile of any journey are as important as the middle. We know there are people who would like to get public transport to work but the time it takes them to get from their house to the bus stop or station at either … fare in Dublin have undoubtedly played a role, they do not fully explain this decline. The reality is that the tax saver model is built around an outdated model of commuting. It works best for people with fixed travel patterns and convenient access to traditional public transport

viable option. In communities like mine in Cavan and Monaghan, public transport is not a viable option either. It is very sparse. Buses frequently run late and students cannot access school transport. What we do have, however, are viable commercial operators we are very fortunate to have … Plenty of money can be found to support transport CEOs, and the Government can find €500 million yearly for school transport for Bus Éireann, yet this Government thinks that we should pay more to access what little unreliable public transport it has to offer us. I have very

more people to use public transport and to incentivise them is one on which we must reflect. I certainly have heard it from many people in terms of the taxsaver scheme. If we look at the whole national fares strategy, it is one we are always looking

based ticketing across bus and other public transport networks. We have seen new bus liveries, standardising the exteriors and interiors of buses across bus operators, along with new bus stops and shelters, but also providing enhanced bus stops with better route, fare and timetable information. I will certainly

accounting for €2.7 billion in fare payments. The fundamental core architecture is nearly 20 years old and cannot absorb further functionality. We must work with the NTA to ensure it is accessible and practical and we have as many people using public transport as possible. I will bring

These planned fare hikes are an attack on workers and people who get up early in the morning. This is a political decision. This is a direct result of this Government changing the 2:1 ratio of investment in public transport to roads

when it comes to public transport. We live in the inner-city areas between the canals and so we must have perfect transport services. In fact, that is not true. I have been bombarded with emails from constituents who are livid over the fare increases, and rightly

educators into a public forum. It must reverse the restrictions that block children from accessing SNAs, recognise SNAs and the roles they play, reverse the junior and leaving certificate fees because it is penny pinching, row back on the school transport scheme fare increases at a time when

answer. I would appreciate hearing the Minister's thoughts on people with disabilities having to give 24 hours notice before they use public transport. In 2025, that is no longer acceptable. This is a rights-based issue, and I would like to see something coming from Government with … waiting list for a driving test for more than ten or 12 weeks? This would give people an incentive to use whatever public transport is available, be it rail or Local Link

operate within those ceilings. Most Deputies want us to expand services. Deputy Ward is correct insofar as the numbers of people on public transport have grown exponentially, which is a great thing. Then others - correctly, by the way - want more services. We need more services … easy choice. I would prefer if we never had to increase fares but we are doing so. This year, the budget will be about €8.5 billion and about €7 billion of that will be public expenditure. However, there are ceilings to it and Ministers have to operate

motion, which is supported by the Labour Party. I will take the opportunity to talk about my constituency of Dublin Fingal West where public transport is at best disconnected. I acknowledge that the DART+ Coastal North project will, hopefully, come at the end of 2026. In the meantime … rankles with people in light of the cost involved and the emotiveness of the decision. I have received countless submissions on this. Good public transport requires us to have a system that is accessible, community-centred and affordable and that not only facilitates physical movement but also serves