Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider expanding the under-9 free travel scheme in Budget 2026 to include commercial bus operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48231/25]

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). As you will be aware, following Government decision, Budget 2025 also included an extension of free travel to children aged five to eight years to State-subvented PSO services, with the application portal formally opening on 3rd of September 2025.

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.

I wish to assure the Deputy that both Government and the Department remain committed to improving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while safeguarding the financial sustainability of the system in the long term.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost of the next generation ticketing project; the profile of expenditure over the lifetime of the project; whether this is provided for in the National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48244/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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 development of public transport infrastructure, including ticketing and technology projects.

The NTA's Next Generation Ticketing project will provide a transformative upgrade to the ticketing system for public transport passengers in Ireland. The project will facilitate a variety of payment methods on public transport services, involving a next-generation 'Account Based Ticketing' scheme incorporating both mobile and card-based payments for passengers.

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 Spanish information technology company - Indra Sistemas S.A. - who have designed, installed and operated similar systems internationally. I recently met with Indra Sistemas S.A and we discussed the progress to date.

There is a commitment under the Programme for Government to roll out contactless fare payments on all public transport and to keep fares low and affordable.

Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.