Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the planned rollout to the nearest month of reduced fares for five to eight year olds as promised in the Programme for Government, following the bedding-in period to ensure this can be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21976/25]

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 allocated to the Department of Transport 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.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a further extension of Leap Card areas or the introduction of additional rural zones outside of Dublin to include towns such as Arklow in south Wicklow and Gorey in north Wexford as there is a considerable commuter body in these towns which would greatly benefit from improvements to public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21994/25]

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 April 2023, the NTA published a new National Fares Strategy, aiming to deliver a more consistent, equitable, and transparent fare structure for all passengers. Following this, the NTA commenced a phased rollout of revised fare zones and structures. Phase 1 of this Fares Determination was implemented in June 2024, focusing on fare changes for towns and shorter journeys within Dublin.

As the Deputy may be aware Phase 2 of this Determination is being implemented in two phases: Phase 2A (from Monday, 28 April 2025) for new multi-modal fare caps in Dublin and revised commuter rail fares; and Phase 2B (from mid-May 2025, date TBC) for revised commuter bus fares. The most significant development is the introduction 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. Further details can be found at

These changes, including the latest implementation of Phase 2 on 28th April 2025, have been designed to deliver a more consistent and equitable fares approach, and one that is easier for customers to understand. The area was selected based on a review of future public transport network proposals, for example the implementation of DART+, along with analysis of ticket sales information to determine travel demand.

The NTA has indicated that future phases of the National Fares Strategy will include the introduction of free transfer flat fares in the regional cities and certain towns and distance-based fares for the rest of Ireland, outside towns and cities.

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.