Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Ryan for raising this important issue. I see it in my area of Carlow-Kilkenny. Carlow is now a university town and county and that brings challenges. It is important we have transport for students, and I am mindful of that.

As the Senator knows, I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O’Brien. If I do not have some of the answers today, I can go back and look for the clarity the Senator seeks. Some of the issues she raised will be important.

The Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, but neither the Minister nor his officials are involved in the day-to-day operation of public transport services. That is the first point. They do not have a say in that. I will come back to that.The statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally rests with the National Transport Authority, NTA. The NTA works with the public transport operators, which 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. This is what we need to work on and see what we can do.

That said, I reassure the Senator that the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable options. Public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, in budget 2026, the Department of Transport has secured €940 million of funding for PSO and TFI Local Link services, providing a significant increase of 43%. The allocation further supports 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 fares strategy.

In relation to the Senator’s specific query regarding the need to extend Leap fare access to students, I would like to clarify that there are currently two Leap card options available that offer 50% discounted travel for young people and students. The Senator is probably aware of this. 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 those aged 26 and over. To qualify, students must be in full-time education or training for at least 16 hours per week. Any student who meets the criteria, supported by a valid student ID indicating full-time status or a letter from their 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 the regular traveller.

In relation to train services, we have invested significantly in recent years in our national rail network to create a more efficient, safe and better rail service for the people of Ireland. The Senator is well aware the opening of a new through platform at Cork Kent Station in April represented a landmark day in the delivery of the Cork area commuter rail programme. It is a really good initiative and I am sure the Senator is well aware of it. This platform will facilitate Cork commuter trains to travel through Kent Station from Mallow to Midleton or Cobh without requiring passengers to change service, 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 electrification of the 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 national development plan sectoral investment plan for transport, which was published by the Department of Transport in November, provides funding for the completion of the Cork area commuter rail phase 1 and elements of phase 2 works. I understand that some of what I am telling the Senator is just for information but I will say the Government is committed to working on the issues she highlighted today and she might want to come back to me with more questions.