Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Exchequer funding to Dublin Bus in respect of Public Service Obligation Services over the past five years is as follows:

The provision for 2011, which is paid to the company through the National Transport Authority, and subject to contract, is €72.45m. The Deloitte Report on the cost and efficiency of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, published in 2009, found that while such grants and subsidies to comparable bus operations in other European countries varied greatly, levels of operational subvention were generally higher than that to Dublin Bus.

The Deloitte report also identified significant scope for the redesign and more efficient operation of the Dublin Bus network to provide a more attractive service to existing and potential users. The redesign would achieve more frequent, streamlined and reliable services. Following the publication of that Report, Dublin Bus undertook an extensive review of their bus network and announced plans for the re-organisation of routes and timetables. Notwithstanding the enhanced service provided by Dublin Bus as a result of Network Direct, the company must implement further cost saving measures to reduce the level of operating losses in recent years. In the current fiscal environment continuous efficiency in the provision of PSO services will be my priority, as increased exchequer support is not a realistic objective at present.