Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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197. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider raising age eligibility for those who wish to avail of the young adult Leap Card considering the financial pressures facing people in their mid-to-late twenties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31887/25]

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.

The Department of Transport secured €658.442 million in Budget 2025 for funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services (an increase from €613.813 million in 2024). This includes funding for the continuation of the fair initiatives including the 20% fare reduction on PSO services, the Young Adult Card on both PSO and commercial bus services, and the 90-minute fare until the end of 2025. Budget 2025 also included the measure to extend free child fares on PSO services to children aged 5 to 8 years old.

I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens, including young persons. Under the Programme for Government, our commitments include the rollout of contactless payments, keeping fares affordable, and examining the further expansion of free public transport for children. These commitments will feed into upcoming Budget 2026 negotiations.

Furthermore, the NTA has recently introduced a new, distance-based, zonal fare structure in the Greater Dublin Area. This move aims to makes fares equitable, more consistent, and easier to understand, with significant reductions for many commuting from outer areas, aligning prices more closely with distance travelled.

I want to assure you that I am committed to making public transport as accessible and affordable as possible, while also ensuring that our system remains financially sustainable in the long term.