Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Ryan for raising this important topic, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy O’Brien. I clarify at the start that the Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in public transport but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport passenger services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority. The NTA works with the public transport operators that deliver the services and have responsibility for day-to-day operational matters. The NTA also has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation, PSO, contracts.

That said, I reassure the Senator 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 the delivery of this goal. To support this objective in the budget just announced, the Department secured €940 million in funding for PSO and Transport for Ireland, TFI, Local Link services, providing a significant 43% uplift, which is an increase from €658.442 million last year, the allocation of further supports for subsidised bus and rail services across Ireland as well as maintaining targeted fare initiatives such as the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of nine and the young adult card as part of the NTA’s national fare strategy.

On the Senator's specific query regarding the need to extend Leap card fare access to students, I clarify that, as Members will know, there are currently two Leap card options available that offer 50% discounted travel for young people and students. The young adult card is available to all young adults aged 19 to 25 and the student Leap card is available to full-time students aged 16 to 18 and to those aged 26 and over. To qualify, students must be in full-time education and training for at least 16 hours per week. Any student who meets the eligibility criteria, supported by a valid student ID indicating full-time status and-or a letter from an institution, will be issued a student Leap card. The NTA encourages all customers to use the TFI Leap card to ensure they receive the best possible value on fares. Leap card users can save up to 30% compared with paying with cash, making it a more cost-effective option for regular travel.

In relation to train services, Senator Ryan and the Members will know we have invested significantly in recent years in our national rail network, particularly in Cork, to create a more efficient, safe and better service for the people of Ireland. The opening of a new through platform at Cork Kent Station last April represented a landmark day in the delivery of the Cork area commuter rail programme. This platform will facilitate Cork commuter trains to travel through Kent Station from Mallow to Midleton or Cobh without requiring passengers to change services, which will support a better rail service.

A public consultation on phase 2 of the programme, which includes the delivery of eight new stations, provides upgrades to existing stations, including Mallow, and provides for the electrification of the new Cork commuter rail system, concluded in July.Phase 2 works will be advanced following the completion of phase 1 and subject to funding and relevant approvals.

The improvements in frequency provided by the Cork area commuter rail programme will also benefit passengers travelling from stations on the Tralee line, including Banteer and Millstreet, who can interchange at Mallow station and travel onwards to Cork Kent Station. The development of infrastructure from the Cork area commuter rail programme will increase capacity and frequency from Mallow to Cork. As fleet becomes available, this will provide opportunities for service expansion on the network, which is subject to agreement with the NTA.

The new DART+ fleet will add significant capacity in the greater Dublin area, and will be then redeployed elsewhere on the network, based on demand and infrastructure capacity.

I have two questions for the Senator. Can she quantify the number of students who are discommoded, in terms of this Commencement matter, and cannot travel from Banteer or Millstreet to Cork city on a Monday morning? The Senator mentioned that students cannot arrive on time for their classes in the morning. What is the earliest train the students can take to travel to Kent Station? I ask because there is a good bus system between UCC and Kent Station. I would like the Senator to quantify the number of students who are discommoded so I can go the NTA on her behalf.