Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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117. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the allocations for public transport in 2022; the additional increases provided in the most recent Budget in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38759/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In Budget 2022, €538m was secured to support Public Service Obligation (PSO) services, including over €200m to address COVID expenses (i.e. loss of fare revenue, cleaning costs). €9m of the €538m allocation has been provided as ongoing support for the licensed bus sector for the first six months of the year. While, over €15m was also allocated to support Local Link regular service provision in rural Ireland. In addition to the REV22 allocations, €54m in Exchequer funding has been secured to allow for the introduction of the 20% discounted fares.

The actual allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.

Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the allocations for public transport in 2022, to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.