James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The sustainability of communities on our offshore islands is a core objective of the Government as set out in the rural development policy for 2021 to 2025, Our Rural Future. The policy acknowledges the importance to island communities of access to reliable, safe and affordable connectivity services to and from the mainland. Contracts for these services are procured by the Department of Rural and Community Development on the open market through the procurement process. This ensures all providers are treated equally and the selection process is fair and transparent for all.

The Department of Transport recently introduced a fare reduction scheme that sees an average 20% reduction on PSO public transport services managed by the National Transport Authority. The scheme covers public transport services operated by Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, Luas, Go-Ahead Ireland and TFI Local Link. It is important to note that other subsidised transport services managed by the Department of Transport, such as the PSO air service to Donegal and Kerry, are not covered by the scheme. Similarly, the subsidised transport services managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development to the offshore islands do not qualify for the scheme. Unlike the services managed by the NTA, offshore islands have a mix of subsidised and non-subsidised transport services. While the Department is open to examining ways of ensuring island transport services are affordable, it is concerned that the introduction of a fare reduction scheme for subsidised services could bring the existing contracts and procurement processes into disrepute. All of the contracted air, ferry and cargo services managed by the Department are procured in an open and fair procedure. Providing a fare reduction scheme for chosen suppliers could have the potential to undermine those procedures and may lead to reduced services to the islands, particularly with regard to non-subsidised services and other private operators who may be placed at a disadvantage. The Minister has sought advice from the Attorney General on the matter and officials continue to engage thereon.

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