John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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148. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the allocation of €116 million from the contingency fund to his Department in Budget 2025 will be used for the purpose of extending the fare reductions on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42137/24]

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.

In the recent Budget 2025 negotiations my Department secured €128 million contingency funding as part of the overall package for the provision of public transport services. Utilising this funding will be of help in the continuation of the provision of the temporary fare initiatives currently in place until the end of 2025. This includes the continuation of the 20% fare reduction on PSO services and the young adult card on PSO and participating commercial services.

Funding under this package will also help provide for free public transport for children aged between 5 and 8 years of age with additional funding provided for new measures introduced during the year.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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149. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, from 2026 onwards, money for the current fare reduction will need to come from 'to be allocated' or if this allocation is in the expenditure ceilings for his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42138/24]

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.

The funding allocation for PSO public transport services for 2026 will be subject to the annual Budgetary process next year, and therefore the allocations for 2026 are yet to be determined in the context of the future estimates process.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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150. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average fare paid on intercity public transport journeys, broken down by passenger type (student, adult, pensioner, and so on) and mode of transport (bus, tram, train, and so on); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42139/24]

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.

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

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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151. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the average fare paid on intercity public transport journeys (for example, from Dublin to Galway), broken down by passenger type (student, adult, pensioner, and so on) and mode of transport (bus, tram, train, and so on); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42140/24]

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.

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