Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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340. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has taken a decision to reduce ferry and air fares to the offshore islands from 1 April 2022 to the end of 2022 as part of the measures to reduce the impact of inflation and to mirror what has happened in other transport sectors in Ireland; if not, if she plans to take such a decision in the coming week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8924/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Government recently announced schemes designed to lessen the impact of the rise in the cost of living currently being experienced by all sections of our society.

One such announcement, made by the Department of Transport, includes a €54 million package that will see an average fare discount of 20% for those availing of PSO public transport services from April 1st until the end of the year. The National Transport Authority (NTA) are the lead body in administering the scheme.  

The subsidised transport services to the off-shore islands, however, do not fall under the remit of this scheme. My Department officials are currently assessing the feasibility, cost and practicalities of providing a discounted fare scheme for those who avail of subsidised transport services to the off shore islands.  They are also consulting with other Government Departments and I will await their report before making any further comment on the matter.