Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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243. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures that are being taken to increase the frequency and reliability of buses, trains, and trams, particularly in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3588/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services in Dublin and nationally, and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

In light of the NTA’s responsibility in this area, 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.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if additional subsidies or fare reductions will be introduced to improve the affordability of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3589/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 their capacity as fare regulator, on the 27th of April 2023, the NTA published a new National Fares Strategy, and following this on the 18th of January 2024 they published the first of a series of Fares Determination related to the strategy.

The most significant change in the fare determination was the implementation of a new ‘Dublin Commuter Zone’ (extending from the outer edge of the Dublin City Zone to approximately 50 km from the centre of Dublin), with simplified Leap capping, as well as changes to some Intercity Rail and town bus fares. This represents a more consistent and equitable fares approach, and one that is easier for customers to understand. It is the NTA’s intention to roll out further changes in future determinations during 2025.

Further, Budget 2025 included funding for the continuation of public transport fare initiatives including the 90-minute fare, the Young Adult/Student Leap Card, and the discounted fares on PSO services, with further provision to extend child fares to include those ages 5-8 years of age.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, 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.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if all public transport infrastructure will be required to meet accessibility standards, particularly for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3590/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. At a policy level, the National Sustainable Mobility Policy, published in 2022, contains two particularly relevant high-level goals -

• 6. Take a whole of journey approach to mobility, promoting inclusive access for all
• 7. Design infrastructure according to Universal Design Principles and the Hierarchy of Road Users mode