Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am committed to supporting a well-funded public transport system into the future, recognising the vital role it plays in our economy and society generally. I ensured that PSO funding for bus and rail services was maintained at current levels in the last budget, the first time this has happened since 2008.

At the end of 2014 I brought forward a Supplementary Estimate which included additional new funding in the public transport capital investment programme of €101 million to ensure the public transport sector is better placed to address the demands of our economic recovery. A large portion of that amount was targeted at the renewal investment required in the rail network. Irish Rail has also benefitted from increasing passenger numbers with an additional 1 million journeys in 2014. While this increase is welcome and is evidence of a recovering economy, Irish Rail must continue to improve its services and marketing to attract even more people to use its services.

Given the significant funding requirements, it is important that rail users and policymakers are consulted on how best to ensure that rail services continue to meet the needs of users and the contribution of rail to an efficient and effective public transport system generally.

The draft strategic framework for investment in land transport recommends the development of a new rail policy, intended to have regard to social and environmental considerations uniquely addressed by rail, as well as the economic and investment context established in that report. I will be consulting with the NTA on how best to progress this proposal.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Leap card is providing seamless travel between Irish Rail, DART and commuter rail services and bus and Luas services in the greater Dublin area. It is also in the process of being extended to commuter rail in Cork.  The Leap card is already operational on buses in the regional cities of Cork and Galway and recently commenced operation in Limerick.  It will be operational across almost all the country by the end of this year.

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