George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
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This issue pertains to the extension and expansion of the free travel scheme for under-nines to include and involve commercial bus operators. It aims to build on the Department of Transport's expansion of the fare reduction scheme introduced in recent years. If we are to have equity, equality and fairness, it is essential that this modest but impactful extension would include children under the age of nine travelling on commercial buses operated by companies within the free travel scheme. It would also address a growing disparity between PSO and commercial services. It would ensure equitable access for children across the country and reinforce the national commitment to increasing public transport usage and reducing car dependency. Those relying on commercial bus operators often reside in rural or underserved areas of the country, and they are excluded. This creates a two-tier system that is inconsistent with broader policy goals on transport, equity and inclusion.

The inclusion of the commercial bus operators would ensure fairness for all families, regardless of geography or the service providers. For those children who reside in areas where public transport is not always available – we all know those areas – it would support a broader modal shift by fostering a culture of public transport use from an early age. Commercial bus operators are already integrated into the Leap card infrastructure and participate in the free travel and young adult card schemes, so there is no requirement for any additional technological investment or major operational overhauls to implement this extension. The system is ready and the commercial operators are ready, willing and able to deliver.

A report was compiled by Jim Power in 2024. It was commissioned by the Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland. The report highlighted that unequal application of fare supports is creating an uneven playing field between public service operators and licensed commercial operators. Extending free travel to under-nines on commercial buses is a practical step that would improve competitive fairness while directly benefiting thousands of families. There is also strong public support for it following the findings of a recent survey.

The key figures and costs indicate that after adjusted fare levels and even factoring in occasional long-distance trips, the total cost for the entire country is unlikely to exceed €1 million annually. Large swathes of this country have either a non-existent or a very poor public transport service and are dependent on private bus operators. To exclude children under nine years who cannot avail of public transport and who depend on private operators is just not fair. There is no equality. The inclusion of commercial operators in the free travel scheme for under-nines would deliver strong social value at minimal fiscal cost. It would also align directly with the Department's objectives on equality and accessibility.

I respectfully ask that this move be taken by the Minister for Transport and his Department in an effort to introduce and maintain equality for those people across the country who have no access to public transport at a time when we have commercial bus operators that are trying to compete, unfairly, in this regard. If a child under the age of nine is travelling, he or she gets used to travelling on public transport, but their families also travel with them, which is a success story for everybody. I urge the Minister for Transport to carry out the move I am suggesting.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Lawlor for raising this important topic. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

The Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport, but neither he nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. Statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority, NTA. The latter works with the public transport operators that deliver the services and that have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. The NTA also has statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation, PSO, contracts. However, unlike PSO services - where the NTA sets, monitors, and regulates fares - services operated by commercial bus operators fall outside this remit. Fares on services run by commercial bus operators are determined independently by the operators and are a purely commercial decision.

That said, I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens, including children. Under the programme for Government, our commitments include the roll-out of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children.

In recent years, the Government has introduced a range of fare initiatives aimed at improving the affordability of and access to public transport, while also encouraging increased usage across all age groups. These measures include the 90-minute fare, the 20% fare discount on PSO services, and the young adult card, YAC. Notably, the YAC scheme has been broadened to include eligible services operated by commercial bus operators. Specifically, in budget 2025, the Government approved the extension of free travel to children aged five to eight years on State-subvented PSO services, with the application portal formally opening on 3 September 2025. This targeted initiative is designed to encourage children to start using public transport from an early age. The Government decision to expand this initiative did not include broadening this measure to commercial bus operators.

As is the case with all such budgetary measures, any decisions regarding potential future fare reductions are a matter for the Government and are considered within the context of the available fiscal parameters and the medium-term fiscal plan.

George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
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I appreciate the Minister of State is here with a prepared script not of his making, but from the Department. To say on an issue like this that the Minister is not involved in the day-to-day running is a lame excuse in the context of what I am asking. Effectively what is happening here is discriminatory. The Government is saying to children and their families who reside in an area where we a public transport system is readily available that they can benefit from this, but it is saying to children who do not have that luxury and live in largely rural areas sadly that we are not going to extend it to the bus operator that they have access to. I acknowledge that very good work has been done and very good initiatives have been introduced. The Minister of State has outlined these in the area of children from the ages of five to eight. However, Ministers arrive with great fanfare at these announcements but then tell us that they are not involved in the day-to-day operation, and it is the NTA's issue.

The notion that we would have one set of children being able to benefit from something in this country while others are told, "Sorry, you make your own way", is a bit ludicrous in the context of equality and fairness. I am sure there is a case to be taken and won somewhere. For the amount involved and the fiscal impact this will have, and the return we would get, it is ludicrous for a Minister to wash his hands off it and say: "Look, it is nothing to do with me. I will announce any initiatives. I will take the pat on the back, but when it comes to actually making a decision that is down to the NTA." That is absolutely ridiculous. This is a simple request. It is not going to break the bank in the context of the overall budgetary situation. I urge the Minister of State to go to his colleague and tell him that this is about fairness and equality for the children aged under nine who do not access public services.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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This year, the NTA introduced a new distance based zonal fare structure for the greater Dublin area. This move aims to make fares equitable, more consistent and easier to understand with significant reductions for many commuting from outer areas aligning prices more closely with distance travelled. I acknowledge the vital role commercial bus operators play in the overall public transport network by providing essential connectivity that complements that delivered under the public service obligation programme.

I assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to making public transport as accessible and equitable as possible. The Minister for Transport has met, and will continue to meet and listen to, the representatives of the commercial operators. While fare initiatives have delivered clear benefits for passengers, they also carry financial implications, emphasising the need to balance affordability with long-term sustainability of the public transport system. Any decision regarding fare initiatives will be a matter for Government decision during the annual Estimates process. The equity point the Deputy made is valid. I will relay and press it upon the Minister and the Government.