Written answers

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Public Transport

Photo of Johnny GuirkeJohnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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181. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the transport budget concession for younger persons only includes 19- to 23-year-olds in view of the fact that many third-level students are in the 17- to 18-years-of-age bracket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52277/21]

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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191. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the budget that will be required to administer half-price public transport to 19- to 23-year-olds as announced in Budget 2022; and the number of persons this measure will cover. [52606/21]

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has plans to include commercial bus operators in the recently announced youth travel card scheme; the reason for their exclusion; the estimated cost of their inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52684/21]

Photo of Johnny GuirkeJohnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the transport budget concession for younger persons only applies to public transport in view of the fact that many third level students travelling from rural areas depend on private coach transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52727/21]

Photo of Johnny GuirkeJohnny Guirke (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider extending the transport budget concession scheme for younger persons to cover the private company transport links in use in view of the fact that there are few suitable public transport links to colleges in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52728/21]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 191, 197, 199 and 200 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares.

Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2009, the NTA has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

As part of Budget 2022, I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a youth travel card which will allow any person between the age of 19 and 23 to avail of a 50% discount on fares across the transport network and promote modal shift in the transport sector among this group. Child fare rates already cover all children up to and including the age of 18.

The NTA have commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares structures for young adults. I have therefore forwarded the Deputies questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

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