Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Sustained investment in the PSO programme has driven record public transport use, with passenger numbers up 23% and continuing to grow in 2026, alongside an expanded network serving over 240 towns and villages. As demand rises and congestion worsens, Ireland’s public transport system has reached a pivotal point, with an increasing need for reliable services.

A fundamental reset in funding was required to place the PSO programme on a sustainable, long-term footing, in line with the Programme for Government. Accordingly, the 2026 PSO allocation was structured to eliminate the need for supplementary in-year funding, providing greater certainty and stability for service delivery.

To underpin this, my Department secured an unprecedented €940 million allocation for PSO services in Budget 2026, a substantial 43% increase on Budget 2025. This significant investment provides a robust foundation to ensure that existing public transport services are delivered reliably and sustainably throughout the year, enabling the system to meet rising passenger demand and assist to absorb growing operational costs.

The NTA is managing the 2026 allocation by prioritising delivery of existing programmes in line with operational readiness and resources. Enhancements within the current allocation are prioritised, some changes are cost-neutral, while others require additional resources, and all are subject to funding, readiness, and capacity.

These decisions are underpinned by robust transport planning considerations, detailed performance analysis of existing services, and ongoing engagement with and feedback from customers, ensuring that investment is both evidence-based and aligned with user needs.

Since 2021, the NTA have rolled out the first seven phases of the network redesign in Dublin. The network redesign as part of BusConnects Dublin will improve the existing bus network by providing high frequency spines and new local, orbital and radial routes. This has included the northern orbital routes connecting Blanchardstown to the Point Village in 2022 and the western orbital routes connecting Blanchardstown to Tallaght in 2023.

Overall, BusConnects will deliver a significant step change in how bus services operate across our cities, making journeys faster, more convenient, and more environmentally sustainable, and I look forward to seeing it fully realised in the years ahead.

We remain firmly committed to advancing the progress achieved in recent years, while delivering a public transport system that is sustainable, dependable, accessible, and affordable for all.