Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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437. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration was given to extending the new child 5–8 Leap card beyond eight years of age; and the reasoning behind choosing the 5-8 age group for this scheme. [47264/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The new Child (5–8) TFI Leap Card was launched on 3rd September, extending free travel on all PSO services to children aged 5 to 8 years. This initiative was announced as part of the Budget 2025 package of measures and delivers on a key Programme for Government commitment to make public transport more affordable and accessible for families.

As is the case with all such Budgetary measures, decisions relating to same are a matter for Government which operates within the available fiscal parameters and the medium term fiscal plan.

The extension of free travel for children under 9 builds on the 2017 introduction of free travel for children under five on subsidised public transport services.

The Child (5–8) TFI Leap Card expires at the end of the month in which the child turns nine. After this point, they should transition to using the Child (5–15) card for discounted fares. Revised Child (5-15) Leap Card products were introduced on 1st September across the Dublin Commuter Leap fare zones, offering a significantly increased discount of 67% off adult fares, up from the previous 50%. These enhanced fares apply to daily, weekly, and monthly ticket products and are available through the TFI Leap Top-Up App and leapcard.ie.

These changes follow a fare determination made in July, building on earlier adjustments in April and June, which established four new Leap fare zones covering Dublin and surrounding commuter areas. Children travelling in Zones 2, 3, and 4 will now benefit from the same discount levels as those in Dublin City (Zone 1). Additionally, the revised structure allows onward travel within Zone 1 on TFI rail, Luas, and Dublin city buses at no extra cost.

This enhancement responds directly to public feedback and aims to make public transport more equitable, inclusive, and affordable for young people.