Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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286. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that front-line workers have access to public transport if current reduced capacity restrictions continue and specifically if dedicated services for staff to and from acute hospitals will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1826/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. 

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally.  Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and public transport has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis.  I would like to thank both all operators and their staff for their continued dedication to providing this vital service in such challenging times.  A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services safely during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing measures across the network.  

The Government's "Living with Covid" and subsequent "Recovery and Resilience" plans set out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the 5 risk levels identified in the Plan.   With the current Level 5 restrictions, public transport operators are restricted to using only 25% of the passenger-carrying capacity on their vehicles.  Importantly, the Plan's Level 5 guidance on working from home where possible and on the closure of social, leisure and other facilities has significantly reduced the demand for public transport.  There is continued strong messaging that public transport capacity remains restricted and, therefore, should only be used for essential travel, with only those who have to travel at peak times doing so. For the duration of current Level 5 restrictions, public transport services are for essential workers and students and for essential journeys only.  People are also being encouraged to walk or cycle where practical. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most and in particular frontline workers.

Both my Department and the NTA are closely monitoring public transport demand and will continue to be guided by public health advice. While no significant capacity issues have been reported by operators since the move to Level 5, the NTA and operators are continuing to monitor passenger loadings, and where necessary additional services will be provided on certain routes at certain times of the day subject to driver availability.