Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown and rationale for the figures provided by the National Transport Authority for the provision of free public transport given that previous estimates were based only on fare collections from public transport which were considerably lower (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45307/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of fares in relation to public passenger transport services and also has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public transport services by way of public transport services contracts in respect of services that are socially necessary but commercially unviable. The funding of those services comprises both the fares paid by passengers and the subvention payments from the Exchequer. The main purpose of the subvention payment is to meet the gap between income from fares and the cost of operating services.

In light of the Authority's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question regarding a breakdown and rationale for the figures provided by the NTA in response to PQ No 293 to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.