Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce free public transport for students in Budget 2025 to alleviate the high travel expenses faced by students; if he will consider implementing a bike-to-college scheme, which is a key ask of an organisation (details supplied) in its pre-Budget 2025 submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37918/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Funding was provided under Budget 2024 for the continuation of the 20% average fare reduction on PSO services, and for an extension of the upper limit of the YAC/student leap from 23 to 25 years of age, which provides a 50% fare reduction for those in third level education. Public transport fare initiatives will form part of my discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in the context of Budget 2025 negotiations.

While I welcomed the introduction of an increase in the Cycle-to-Work scheme thresholds in recent Budgets, I recognise that such an incentive does target a specific cohort of the population and is not universally available. While the Cycle-to-Work scheme falls under the remit of the Department of Finance, Department of Transport officials liaise with their counterparts in that Department in relation to the introduction of various transport related tax measures, particularly in the period preceding the annual Budget.

I will ask my officials to bear your suggestion in mind, regarding a Bike-to-College scheme, during these negotiations going forward. My Department will continue to undertake research into potential additional measures which could be introduced to promote modal shift and encourage uptake of cycling across all demographics going forward.