Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Senators for raising this issue. Both are correct in the sense that the initiative has been very transformative and positive. It has been very well received. The numbers speak for themselves in terms of both climate action and reducing costs for students.

I understand that the Senators' questions concern plans that the Minister may have to expand the young adult card and student Leap card fare initiative to include all students attending third level education so they can avail of the50% fare discount on both public service obligation, PSO, and commercial bus operator services.

The Department of Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in regard to public transport. However, the Department is not involved directly in the day-to-day operation of public transport services nationally. It is the National Transport Authority, NTA, that has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally by way of public transport service contracts, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators.

I reassure the Senators that the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in meeting this goal. To support this objective, in budget 2022 the Department of Transport secured €538 million of funding for PSO and Local Link services provided by State operators and under contract by the NTA this year. A cost-efficient public transport sector, including affordable and accessible public transport services, is vital to a functioning economy.

As Senators are all aware, in recognising the importance of incentivising more young people to use public transport, as part of budget 2022 the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, secured €25 million in funding for the introduction of the young adult card. This exciting initiative allows any young person nationwide between the ages of 19 and 23 to avail of an entitlement to discounted travel and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services. Mature students in full-time education are also included in the scheme, as are eligible visitors to Ireland within the young adult age cohort.

The young adult card was initially introduced on PSO services on 9 May, and since then there has been extensive engagement between the Department of Transport, the NTA and representatives from the commercial bus sector to agree upon extending the initiative to commercial bus services as well. That extension has now been agreed and has been in place since 4 September.

This extension of the scheme to the commercial sector means the 50% fare discount for holders of a young adult card, namely those aged between 19 and 23, or a student Leap card is now available on bus services provided by participating commercial bus operators. It is important to note that the discount is in addition to the 20% average fare discount on PSO services that was introduced in May as part of a suite of Government measures to help combat the rising cost of living.

Specifically on the Senators' questions on the eligibility requirements for the young adult card, I am happy to clarify that I have been advised that the NTA is widening the age rules of the scheme to allow 16-, 17-, and 18-year-old students in third level education to apply for the student Leap card so they can also avail of the 50% discount. This is in line with the approach taken with mature students in full-time third level education.

On Senator Gallagher's question on students who travel to the North, the issue of the Border counties is one we can raise with the NTA on foot of this Commencement debate. What I have announced is good and welcome news all round. I thank both Senators for raising the matter.