Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In recognition of the importance of incentivising young people to use public transport, as part of Budget 2022 I secured funding to provide for the introduction of a young adult card (YAC) on both PSO and commercial services. This exciting initiative entitles anyone between the ages of 19 and 23 to discounted travel costs and to increase the level of discount over and above the current student discount level to an average of 50% across all services, including city, intercity and rural services.

The discount has initially been made available on all subsidised PSO bus, rail and Luas services. It will then be broadened to include commercial operators as soon as practical. Intensive work is underway with representatives from the commercial bus sector, the NTA and the Department to devise a mechanism to implement and expedite the deployment of the Young Adult Card in the commercial bus sector.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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157. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that a bus stop is put in place in Ballinhassig, County Cork. [28156/22]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure the reinstatement of the east-bound bus stop on North Street, Skibbereen, County Cork. [28157/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, for decisions in relation to the routes of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's questions in relation to the possible introduction of a bus stop in Ballinhassig, and the possible reinstatement of the east bound bus stop on North Street, Skibbereen, to the NTA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.