Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

NPHET is meeting today to consider what will happen with mandatory mask wearing. For many people this will be a welcome sign that we are leaving the pandemic behind us. However, many unions representing workers in transport and retail, particularly Mandate Trade Union and the National Bus and Rail Union, NBRU, have concerns. Ms Patricia King, general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, has called for the rules to be kept for a short period. As the Minister knows, there will be a lot of anxiety for staff and people who are vulnerable. This will impact especially on those considering using trains, buses and other forms of public transport. Encouraging people back onto public transport is essential to meet our climate targets. Emissions were up 11% at the end of September compared with 2020. What advice does the Minister for Transport have for people concerned about mask rules on public transport being changed?

As part of the budget, €25 million was announced to cut fares in half for young people between 19 and 23 years old. The Labour Party called for the fares to be free but, in fairness, the Government met us half way. This will make a real difference for young people struggling with the cost of living and will encourage lifelong use of public transport. However, when will it be a reality? Was no work done in advance of the budget to get this in place or was it thrown in at the last minute? All we are being told is that it will be mid-2022. When exactly will it be put in place? Has the Minister given a deadline to have this delivered? My colleague, Deputy Nash, uncovered this week that there are no plans yet to provide this youth fare reduction on commercial buses. The Budget Statement said quite clearly that this would apply across the transport network. Many young people, especially in rural areas, will not have access to cheaper fares because they will not be available. No timeline could be provided by the Minister to Deputy Nash as regards when this will be in place.

With more people working remotely or part-time in the office after the pandemic, there is also still no flexi-taxsaver ticket in place to reflect the changed work practices. When will that be delivered? There is much talk about tackling the cost of living, but a concrete measure that would encourage more people to use public transport and reduce costs is delayed. The Minister made a lot of announcements and I have outlined many of them. However, we are getting very little about definitive dates for when the measures in respect of public transport will be implemented. Again, a 20% reduction in fares was announced last week as part of the cost-of-living package. However, we hear that it will not come into force until May. If the Government is serious about encouraging more people to use public transport, these proposals would be a priority.

What is the Minister's and the Government's position on mask wearing on public transport and in retail settings for workers who have concerns? When will the half-price youth travel card be ready?

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