James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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275. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding free public transport for children under eight years of age as outlined in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9655/25]

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.

Under Budget 2025, funding has been provided to extend free public transport for children to include those aged 5 to 8 years. Free travel for all children under-fives on subsidised public transport services was introduced in 2017.

The extension will be introduced later this year, with a lead time involved to allow for the necessary technical changes required to facilitate the implementation of this change to child fares. Similar to the previous fare initiatives this measure marks another step towards making sustainable transport a more affordable option for more families.

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.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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276. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will instruct his Department to provide a concrete timeline for the introduction of contactless payment on public transport; and if the introduction of digital Leap cards will be part of this rollout. [9685/25]

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. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.

The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project is to provide for an upgraded ticketing system to facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, including bus services. Fundamental to this project is a transition to an 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating mobile and card-based payments.

Following a competitive procurement process, the NTA awarded, in April 2024, an overall framework contract for the design, supply, installation and operation of a new multi-modal ticketing system to a Spanish information technology company - Indra Sistemas S.A. - who have designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally.

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