Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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53. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to follow the example of other countries in relation to reducing the costs of public transport and moving to a free and frequent public transport system nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46235/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 56 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 responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

The PSO programme represents a significant expenditure of taxpayers' money, and funding has increased in recent years to cater for additional services and growing capacity. Any assessment of a proposed change to public transport fare structures would be a matter for the NTA to consider in the first instance.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have forwarded the Deputies questions in relation to free public transport, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.