Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce additional travel grants for those with limited mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33435/21]

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.

Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. The NTA works with the relevant public transport operators, who have responsibility for day to day operational issues, to progressively make public transport accessible.

However, the remit of my Department and its Agencies, including the NTA, relates to public transport services, rather than individualised or personalised travel supports.

Public transport services are open services which are planned, coordinated and delivered as a means for the general public to access a wide variety of services and allow all passengers to travel together, in so far as possible.

Transport services that do not fit this description are deemed to be ‘closed’ services,  for example, dedicated door-to-door disability services, and do not come under the remit of my Department or the NTA.

In addition, the funding allocated to my Department and its Agencies is for public transport services, for example Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding, and the Local Link Rural Transport Programme, rather than for individual travel or mobility grant support schemes.

For the information of the Deputy, the Free Travel Scheme comes under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection, who also has responsibility for the Disability Allowance scheme. The Mobility Allowance Scheme comes under the remit of the Minister for Health as does responsibility for Motorised Transport Grants.