Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide a breakdown of the amount of the Budget 2026 PSO funding allocation that will go towards providing new or increased capacity public transport services; the amount that will go towards providing existing services and existing fare reduction schemes; the amount that will go towards addressing funding deficits in the PSO scheme, as confirmed by his Department and in light of recent media articles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66838/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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 National Transport Authority (NTA) plays a central role in achieving this, as they have 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.

As Minister for Transport, my Department sets the overall policy direction and funding framework for the delivery of public transport services nationwide. The 2026 PSO funding allocation of €940 million represents a significant 43% uplift in the allocation from 2025. This reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring that public transport services can continue to operate reliably and sustainably in the face of growing passenger demand and increased operational costs.

This allocation will also allow for the continued delivery of targeted fare initiatives, including the recently introduced free travel for all children up to the age of 9 and the Young Adult Card for those aged 19–25, as part of the NTA’s National Fares Strategy. These measures help ensure that public transport remains accessible and affordable for families, students, and young workers across the country.

The National Fares Strategy, published in 2023, provides the framework for a fairer and more consistent fare system, aligning fares with distance travelled. As part of this, new fare zones were introduced in January 2024 – the Dublin City Zone (within 25km of the city centre) and the Dublin Commuter Zone (within 50km). These zones were informed by future transport plans such as DART+ and detailed ticketing data. The two-phase implementation concluded in June 2025 and aims to reduce fare disparities, particularly for passengers in commuter areas. This structured approach ensures the fare system remains transparent and equitable over time and supports future service improvements.

In parallel, investment continues to support the roll-out of planned improvements within the existing network, such as the recently launched F Spine under Phase 7 of BusConnects. This phase introduces high-frequency, 24-hour bus services on key corridors, including routes F1, F2, and F3, enhancing connectivity between areas such as Tallaght, Finglas, Charlestown, and the city centre. The redesign also includes new radial and local routes to streamline and make the network more efficient.

In addition, a further €31 million has been secured for rural transport in 2026 – a 38% increase on last year’s funding. This ensures the continued delivery of vital services across rural Ireland, to meet demand in communities that depend on these services most.