Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider providing a budget to the National Transport Authority specifically for service enhancement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31912/25]

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 nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

That being said, the Government is strongly committed to providing all citizens with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options, and public transport plays a key role in the delivery of this goal. To support this objective, in Budget 2025, the Department of Transport secured €658.442 million of funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) and TFI Local Link services. This includes funding for the continuation of the fare initiatives and to support the roll-out of new and enhanced bus and rail services under programmes such as BusConnects and Connecting Ireland.

A number of enhancements were introduced across the PSO network throughout 2024 and the initial stage of Phase 6a of the BusConnects Network Redesign rollout in Dublin commenced service in late September. The implementation of the Dublin Redesign Network has been delivered in phases over a number of years, rolling out incrementally since 2021. The first of these Spines – the H-Spine and C-Spines– launched in 2021. Phase 3 and Phase 4 launched in 2022. Phase 5a and 5b launched in 2023. Most recently Phase 6a E-spine of the BusConnects Network Redesign commenced service on January 26th, 2025.

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.

I can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to delivering an accessible, reliable and affordable public transport system for all our citizens.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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199. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reasons the National Transport Authority has no specific budget allocation for service enhancements; the number of services it assessed on a case-by-case basis that were determined to be in need of enhancement from 2022 to date in 2025; the amount of money spent by the National Transport Authority on enhancing services on a case-by-case basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31913/25]

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 nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

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 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 children. 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.

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.

Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the amount of the €15million allocated to the National Transport Authority under Budget 2025 for the provision of new services across the State that was allocated towards the rollout of the B-Spine under BusConnects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31914/25]

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 nationally and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.

Budget 2025 provided a €658.44m funding package for the PSO programme, with €15 million included to support new bus and rail services in 2025, including the continuation of the BusConnects and the Connecting Ireland programmes, and the planned introduction of further new town services.

A number of enhancements were introduced across the PSO network throughout 2024 and the initial stage of Phase 6a of the BusConnects Network Redesign rollout in Dublin commenced service in late September. The implementation of the Dublin Redesign Network has been delivered in phases over a number of years, rolling out incrementally since 2021. The first of these Spines – the H-Spine and C-Spines– launched in 2021. Phase 3 and Phase 4 launched in 2022. Phase 5a and 5b launched in 2023. Most recently Phase 6a E-spine of the BusConnects Network Redesign commenced service on January 26th, 2025.

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 children. 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.

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.