Written answers
Tuesday, 7 November 2023
Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport
Transport Costs
Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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227. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason students over the age of 23 years who are not enrolled in full-time education cannot benefit from a student Leap card, especially given that the cost of a part-time postgraduate diploma, masters degree, and so on, puts the individual at a significant economic disadvantage. [47690/23]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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.
As part of the overall PSO package for 2024, I secured funding for the continuation of the 20% average fare reduction on PSO services, the 90-minute fare and for an increase in the upper age limit for the Young Adult Card from 23 to 25-years-of age.
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 along with the fare discount schemes already in place. 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 Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason students from other EU Member States visiting Ireland cannot benefit from the student fare for public transport services; and if this is standard practice across other EU Member States. [47691/23]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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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.
As the Deputy may be aware, participation in the Young Adult Card (YAC) scheme was initially for 19 to 23 year olds inclusive. However, in October 2022 the YAC was further extended to include full-time third levels students aged 16 to 18 years old. More recently, funding has been secured under Budget 2024 for the extension of the upper age limit of the YAC from 23 to 25-years-of-age.
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 along with the fare discount schemes already in place. 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 Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
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