Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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92. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he is making to support the transition from private car to public transport for commuters to third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49080/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The renewed National Development Plan (NDP) provides €35 billion for transport over the next decade, the largest investment in transport in the history of the state, and it will transform how we travel, connect communities and help us to halve our greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. It provides for significant investment in active travel, bus and rail infrastructure over the next ten years in terms of expanding sustainable mobility options in our cities, towns and villages. This will enable us to provide greater choices for commuters to travel more sustainably - be that by walking, cycling or public transport.

The NDP will support the delivery of major public transport projects such as BusConnects, DART+ and Metrolink along with increased investment in the inter-urban and regional rail network. This will be complemented by an expansion of public transport services including in rural and regional areas under Connecting Ireland.Investment of €360 million a year will support 1,000 km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure.

My Department also provides funding for the Smarter Travel Workplaces and Campus Programmes,which are overseen by the NTA. These are national, voluntary, behaviour change programmes that work with large employers and third level institutions to implement workplace travel plans that facilitate sustainable travel on the commute and beyond.

We are committed to supporting 500,000 extra daily walking, cycling and public transport journeys by 2030 making it easier for people to travel in a sustainable way including commuters to third-level education. The new Sustainable Mobility Policy which I intend to publish before the end of this year will provide a 10-year policy framework for active travel and public transport to cater for daily travel needs in a more sustainable way and support this commitment.