Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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239. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department is taking to reduce the economic burden being experienced by people who commute long distances to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63790/25]

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.

I wish to reassure the Deputy that improving the accessibility, reliability, and affordability of public transport, while ensuring the system remains well-funded and responsive to passenger needs, is a core priority under the Programme for Government. The NTA, as fare regulator, plays a central role in achieving this.

You will be aware that since last year there has been a significant change to the zonal structure used in the Greater Dublin Area for public transport. The old Short Hop Zone has been replaced by a new zonal structure comprising a Dublin City Zone and then three further zones. These zones have been developed based on distances from the city centre, reflecting the rationale generally underpinning the move toward a much fairer fares system, which is based on distance.

The Dublin City Zone extends to approximately 23km from the city centre with Zone 3 representing a distance of around 50km from the city centre. This change has brought a number of benefits to commuters as compared to the previous zonal structure. Commuters in the relevant zones are now enjoying significantly reduced fares for travelling to Dublin.

Regarding tolls on the national road network, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding for the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The statutory power to levy tolls, make toll bye-laws, and enter agreements with private investors rests with TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended). Moreover, the contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned.

The setting of tolls is a statutory function of TII, and in line with that the TII Board proposed a limited number of toll increases for 2026 on the M50 and Dublin Tunnel, along with changes to toll rates on the 8 PPP routes. This is largely driven by inflation calculations based on the Consumer Price Index and set out in the Bye Laws for each toll scheme.

Revenues collected from tolls on the M50 and Dublin Tunnel are invested by TII in the operation and maintenance of the road network, whereas revenue collected from the 8 PPP roads are used by the PPP companies to fund ongoing operations and maintenance activities, as well as to repay loans arising from the construction of the road.

In relation to the Dublin Tunnel, the tolling arrangements also serve an important demand management function, to ensure that non-HGV traffic does not impede the transit of heavy goods vehicles to Dublin Port. To ensure that the Tunnel can continue to fulfil it's core purpose, a €1 increase in the toll that applies to southbound traffic in the morning was deemed appropriate. Tolls on the tunnel at other times remain unchanged.

If tolling revenue did not exist, it would be necessary to use additional exchequer funding to ensure that the national road network is maintained to a high standard. It is important to point out that with regard to private cars, tolls on six of the eight PPP schemes will not change in 2026, with the exceptions being on the M3 and M4.

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to the NTA for a direct reply with information in relation to public transport fares and to TII for a direct reply regarding tolls. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.