Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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84. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in Estonia there are plans to make public transport free at the point of use (details supplied); and if his Department will conduct a cost-benefit analysis to carry out same here. [25392/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I understand that free public transport is available in some European cities and towns to encourage increased use of public transport, reduce congestion, attract people into cities for leisure purposes and for environmental reasons among others.  

In Ireland this year, the Exchequer will provide almost €300m as subvention for public transport services.  This is additional to the passenger fares of about €500m per annum for these PSO services.

If these services were to be provided free to passengers, then it would be expected to cost the Exchequer would be in the range of that €500 million.  This would be over and above the €300m already spent on subvention and the amount (€77m in 2017) that the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection pays to public transport providers in respect of its Free Travel Scheme which provides free transport to almost 1 million people in the State, including all people aged over 66 living permanently here, along with some other qualifying people.

While I have no immediate plans to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of such a scheme which would require substantial additional funding by the taxpayer or from other sources, I am interested in hearing about innovative and radical ideas that would meet the needs of passengers, encourage more people out of their cars and onto public transport thus alleviating congestion and helping to tackle climate challenges.