Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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255. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the introduction of a new flexi taxsaver travel ticket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4345/22]

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.  I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport, nor decisions on fares. It is the National Transport Authority (NTA) that has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services, provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts

In light of the impact of Covid on commuter travelling patterns, with a potential move away from a regular 5-day commute, the NTA is evaluating the possibility of a new flexi taxsaver commuter ticket. My Department has held discussions with the NTA and also with the Department of Finance on this issue.  The NTA is proceeding with the detailed technical work associated with the introduction of a more flexible Taxsaver product.  

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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256. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the youth public discount card scheme announced in budget 2022; the criteria and the application process involved for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4354/22]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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260. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the introduction of half-price travel on public transport for persons under 24 years of age as announced in budget 2022; when half-price travel on public transport will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 260 together.

In recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured €25m of funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) which will allow any person nationwide who is between 19 and 23 years old, to avail of an entitlement for discounted travel costs, and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount to an average of discount of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services.  This will not only promote modal shift in the transport sector among this age group but should also contribute towards a reduced reliance on private transport with associated benefit of transport emission savings.

While 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 decision making on fares; the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility in this regard. In light of this, the NTA has commenced work in relation to the implementation of the new fares’ structures for young adults, and this includes examining criteria and the application process. Therefore, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days