Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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234. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the level of State subsidy to the public transport sector, broken down by company in aggregate since 2008; the measure his Department utilises to establish the inflation rate in the transport sector; the rate in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22887/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Since 2010 there is no subvention paid directly by my Department for public transport services.  The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has direct responsibility for this area.  The total Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention provided to the CIE companies n the years 2008 to 2014 is set out in the table.

Schedule of Exchequer Subvention to CIÉ: 2008 to 2014

As regards inflation, transport is one of twelve categories used by the CSO to calculate the Consumer Price Index. The transport index is reviewed monthly by the CSO and is based on the cost of vehicles, the operating costs of personal transport equipment and the costs of transport services.In terms of the relevant NTA contracts with operators, the NTA adopt a methodology for contract prices and indexation. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA to provide more detailed information.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.