Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, the Government recently announced schemes that are designed to lessen the impact of the rise in the cost of living that is currently being experienced by all sections of our society. One such announcement includes a €54 million package that will see a 20% average fare reduction on PSO bus and rail services that are managed by the National Transport Authority, NTA, on behalf of the Government. That scheme does not extend to other transport contracts that are funded by the Department of Transport or to the transport services to the offshore islands that are funded by my Department. Although the Department is not opposed to the introduction of such a scheme for island residents, it is concerned that retrospectively applying a fare reduction to contracts that were procured through a public procurement process may create issues for private and subsidised operators.

I am happy to look at this. I have written to the Attorney General seeking advice and clarity on the issue. That advice will be made available to the Department in the coming weeks. The island's ferries are subsidised to the tune of 50%.

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