Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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924. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will increase State funding for public transport towards the European average figure by increasing the public service obligation levy to Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus and Irish Rail initially to the figures for 2007-8. [27508/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Deputy will be aware that this year's total Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention was increased by 13% when compared to last year and the total amount of money made available to the National Transport Authority (NTA) in 2016 is €236.6m.

All three operators will therefore receive increased PSO subvention funding this year which is a very welcome development given that, as with almost all other areas of public expenditure, subvention funding was indeed reduced in recent years.

Notwithstanding that reduction, the Exchequer has continued to provide significant financial assistance to each of the three operators on an annual basis. This assistance takes the form of both PSO subvention funding and considerable investment through capital funding also.

This totality of Exchequer financial assistance to the transport operators must be considered when reference is being made to the levels of funding provided. While I note the Deputy's comment about a 'European average' I must point out that the different structures and funding sources used in public transport provision across the EU can give rise to difficulties when attempting adequately compare levels of funding in the sector.

Of course I recognise the need to build upon the increased level of subvention funding I am making available to the NTA this year and that very issue is one I am raising with Ministerial colleagues during this year's budgetary process. I intend to prioritise improved service delivery and efficiency when seeking such increased funding.