He is going to leave the Chamber after the question.
Sentiment score: -0.05
I thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. The NTA has 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. The services are subsidised and the NTA is responsible for the routes, fares and shared systems. In the case of route 103 serving Dublin to Ratoath via Ashbourne, Bus Éireann is responsible, as we have said, for the management and day-to-day operation as the operator, alongside the other PSO services. The performance of all public transport operators is monitored by the NTA as part of the contractual arrangements in place between the operators and the NTA. The contracts allow for not just the monitoring of performance but also the publication of the annual performance reports and, importantly, for the imposition of financial penalties to reinvest into the network in places where performance does not meet the minimum required standards, as well as reasonable incentive payments where performance exceeds the set standards. In terms of punctuality, the 103 has unfortunately been generally performing below the minimum contractual standards since the start of this year. However, adhering to on-time performance can be challenging given the length of the route, the variability of traffic conditions in towns and villages along the way, as well as general traffic congestion in Dublin city centre. The point the Deputy is making about improving the services is not one that we can gloss over and we need to listen to his articulation of the issue on behalf of the many people who are frustrated. I understand from the NTA that since the start of this year lost kilometres on the 103 route have been higher than desired, primarily due to mechanical issues and bus breakdowns. In line with its prescribed allocations and available resources for the year, the NTA is currently working with Bus Éireann to introduce a revised timetable on this route later this year. Additionally, the NTA is also meeting Bus Éireann weekly at senior management level to review all service performances and monitor the operator's plans to improve reliability. We as a Department have asked the NTA to promptly apprise us of the progress to address these challenges. When we get a report we will get back to the Deputy.
Sentiment score: 0.23
First of all, it is not acceptable that there is that level of frustration and lateness for work. I accept that the issue is there. As I outlined in my initial response to the Deputy, there is engagement with Bus Éireann. We need to ensure that the frustration of people is now replaced by delivery of services. That is why the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I have been engaged fully with the NTA in terms of the review of not just the service, with the provision of staff in terms of fixing broken buses, but also in terms of the reliability. That is why we are very anxious that in this year it is about sustainability and building resilience. Where there are issues, there are fines. I know the fines are not good or acceptable to the person whose email the Deputy read out. I will take back the Deputy's comments. As someone who uses the bus service in Cork city, I know that people are looking for reliability and punctuality and we must build confidence in the system. I understand that and I will take back the Deputy's points. I am not familiar with route 103 but I certainly find it unacceptable that the person's email is a common one. That should not be the case.
Sentiment score: -0.04
I do not have the information the Deputy requested but I will ask my officials to communicate with him. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I, as a Department, have asked that a report on the route be directly given back to us. As the Deputy said, it is a critically important route. What is happening is unacceptable. We have been very clear on that. For us, punctuality is critical, Reliability is equally important. We, as Ministers, and the Department are very much of the view that we must build sustainability in order to stabilise matters. The Department, working with the NTA and Bus Éireann, has put in place plans in respect of mechanics, drivers and recruitment. We have spoken to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment regarding visas and work permits. What we want is a transport system that operates for the travelling public. If Deputy O'Rourke sends us the information he has, we will certainly communicate with him in respect of the fines. There have been fines levied on the bus providers, as the Deputy knows.
Sentiment score: 0.11
I thank Deputy McGuinness for raising this matter. For context, Bus Éireann operates both PSO services and Expressway intercity services. The latter operate on a commercial basis and do not receive any State subvention. We are aware that Bus Éireann recently announced the withdrawal of some services which operate under its Expressway banner. Deputy McGuinness referenced route 4, the Waterford via Carlow service, in this regard. The point the Deputy makes reflects a lot of the frustration experienced by people. He referred to the meeting held in Mullinavat. It is important that Bus Éireann and the NTA communicate with people, the travelling public and public representatives in a very clear and cogent manner. It is unacceptable that the decision in this regard, which was taken following a financial and operational review, was not communicated by Bus Éireann in terms of the need to provide clarity and certainty to people. In saying that, Bus Éireann has said to us that in regard to the Expressway performance over recent years, it was concerned about the long-term financial sustainability of the company as a whole. The NTA, as Deputy McGuinness has referenced, is the licensing authority for the commercial bus sector. As is the case with any such commercial route withdrawals, the withdrawal of these routes triggers the NTA's public service obligation termination process, the outcome of which has been published by the NTA. I know the NTA - and I will ask it to communicate directly with Deputy McGuinness - has undertaken a detailed assessment of the potential impact to customers. The review identified that the loss of route 4 would, as we have heard, significantly reduce the capacity and connectivity between Waterford and Carlow, and that is regrettable. The NTA has introduced a new Transport for Ireland, TFI, route 365, as subsidised by the bus service to maintain vital transport links and support regional accessibility. I would be anxious to hear how that service, which will have four daily returns, will meet the needs of the people Deputy McGuinness speaks about and I would be happy to communicate with the NTA on his behalf as well.
Sentiment score: 0.08
The new 365 route will provide four daily returns, which will provide access for passengers travelling from Waterford and Carlow to Dublin via the counties in between. Passengers travelling onwards will benefit from connections in Carlow to existing bus and rail services to Dublin and beyond. As I said, the route will be operated by Bus Éireann on an interim basis. The new service will provide four return journeys. It will ensure continued access for passengers travelling from Waterford, Carlow and the surrounding counties will be provided for. I take the Deputy's point on the need to have the travelling public communicated with. He said it was a "statement of fact". I hear what he is saying. I will communicate the Deputy's frustrations and the concerns of the people in regard to the NTA missing the point about the connection piece. As the Deputy knows, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I are not the people directly engaged in that but we will ask the NTA to account for it and report back to us on the matter. It is an important point. I know the town of Carlow well and the Deputy makes good points with regard to hospital and college. It is a large centre of population as well.
Sentiment score: 0.12
First of all, the point the Deputy made in regard to communication is critically important. The NTA should communicate clearly and succinctly people. The route 365 will have four daily return journeys. There will be that continued access but I hear the points Deputy McGuinness has made. I understand what he is saying. Connectivity is important. We have seen the success of Local Link and it has grown exponentially around the country in regard to rural transport. I will communicate the points made very eloquently here this morning with the NTA on behalf of Deputy McGuinness and the people he has spoken about. We are committed, as a Government, to providing all of our citizens, no matter where they are, with reliable and realistic sustainable mobility options. I know that public transport, as I said earlier - I do not recoil from this - plays a significant role in that. The NTA and the Department will, following this morning's questions, liaise with Deputy McGuinness on the provision of services and if the route 365 does not work, then there obviously has to be a reappraisal of what the situation is.
Sentiment score: 0.17
I am taking the question on behalf of the Minister. As the Deputy knows, offering a more affordable and sustainable alternative for many people, public transport has had a particularly important role to play in responding to the demand driven by fluctuating geopolitical developments, as we have said, which are consequently and consistently impacting the cost of fuel. As we all know, rising fuel costs increases the likelihood of car users switching to public transport. We have seen that but that modal shift is unpredictable. What we do have is an increase in people using public transport. As the Deputy knows, in respect of targeted measures to further support the impacted sectors, in April of this year Government approved and introduced a range of measures to mitigate rising fuel costs, including the road transport support scheme and additional supports for bus and coach operators, including providing TFI Local Link and school transport services. These supports, worth approximately €120 million over three months, are helping operators manage current pressures and maintain service levels. While operating in an uncertain environment, the immediate priority for our Department and the NTA has been to protect existing services and ensure continuity across the network within the resources allocated to the public service obligation, PSO, programme in 2026. Where opportunities arise to enhance services in a timely and practical way, these will be actively considered and progressed. The Department of Transport and the NTA continue to remain in close contact with operators to monitor demand and operational impacts. It is important to outline that we are carefully considering all aspects of what is happening at the moment within the available of resources, so that we can continue to provide effective, sustainable public transport where we can see benefits for the people. Additionally, our fare structures in Ireland for public transport compares very favourably with our European counterparts. I will come back further in the supplementary with other comments.
Sentiment score: 0.30
The fundamental point Deputy Murphy misses is that we secured an extraordinary allocation of €940 million - an uplift of 43% - for our PSO services in the budget. I reiterate what the Minister said earlier, namely that the focus for this year is on stabilisation. It is about ensuring services that are already in place can operate reliably and sustainably and that we see progressive improvements in other services. The other point is that we are meeting our climate change objectives. More and more people are moving to public transport. There is a commitment to electrify the fleet. We have seen more investment than ever before in that area. We are very much committed to having a reliable public transport system that is a movement away from the old style of public transport provision to electric trains and buses. We are seeing that across the country and in the city of Dublin.
Sentiment score: 0.16
We are meeting them in terms of moving away from fossil fuel vehicles to-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
I am saying that we are moving towards the electrification of the fleet.
Sentiment score: 0.00
We are electrifying the-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
Did the Deputy read the NDP?
Sentiment score: 0.00
Sure that is-----
Sentiment score: 0.32
I know Deputy Murphy does not want to hear good news.
Sentiment score: 0.40
It is the job of the Opposition to hark and bark, and that is all right. We are politicians, and I understand that. One in every four euro is going on public transport investment and one in every eight euro is being spent on public transport. I reiterate that there has been 43% uplift in the budget for this year.
Sentiment score: 0.00
I ask Deputy Murphy to read the NDP for transport. Has he read it?
Sentiment score: 0.00
The Deputy will have read about the Government's commitment to the provision of public transport, the electrification of the fleet, the purchase of new vehicles and the move away from diesel engines.
Sentiment score: 0.38
The Deputy does not want to hear good news. If he had his way, we would have no BusConnects, no Cork commuter rail, no MetroLink and no DART and he would be asking what are we doing.
Sentiment score: -0.19
The reality is that we are developing a transport plan-----
Sentiment score: 0.00
Deputy Ó Broin got his answer earlier and did not like it.
Sentiment score: -0.28
I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister. In accordance with section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, as amended, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority. Work on such roads is funded from councils' resources, supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter in the first case for the local authority. Any new road projects in respect of which State funding is sought are assessed by our Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects proposed by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the infrastructure guidelines and the Department's transport appraisal framework. Given the limited funding available for regional and local road improvement works, it is important for each local authority to prioritise projects within these requirements. In the case of the Kilkenny city north transport project, the Kilkenny ring road, it aims to reduce city centre congestion and improve cross-river connectivity via a potential northern ring road extension. In January 2023, in line with Government requirements, Kilkenny County Council produced a strategic assessment report for the Kilkenny northern ring road extension and a draft was forwarded by our Department for review. Since then, both the public spending code and the Department’s transport appraisal framework guidance have been updated. In 2024, following the provision of funding from our Department, Kilkenny County Council submitted an updated project outline document, POD, for the Kilkenny city north transport project. While this process was underway, funding was also allocated for traffic and junction analysis in the Butts Green area of the city to further assess and better understand traffic patterns. In 2025, following a review of the POD by our Department, €200,000 was allocated to the Kilkenny northern transport project to allow Kilkenny County Council to progress it to phase 2, the options stage. This year, Kilkenny County Council appointed a design consultant to progress the options stage. An additional €300,000 was allocated by the Department of Transport, which will continue to liaise with Kilkenny County Council as the project progresses. For this year, €718 million was allocated through the regional and local roads grant programme for improvement and maintenance, with approximately 90% of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal. I will come back in with more information for Deputy McGuinness in a moment.
Sentiment score: 0.26
Who has failed?
Sentiment score: -0.51
I will ask the NTA to liaise with Kilkenny County Council. As Deputy McGuinness knows, it is mainly the responsibility of Kilkenny County Council to decide its programme for road maintenance. On the safety issue, I will certainly ask the council to liaise and engage, particularly as safety is paramount. I know that Kilkenny County Council has received significant moneys for road protection and renewal works. It is certainly important that there is collaboration and both entities work together to ensure the existing sections of roads can be completed. In terms of the north ring road, there has been the appointment of a design consultant. I will ask our officials to liaise with council on the matter because it is important. I know it from Deputy McGuinness's ongoing advocacy and it is critical to the growth of Kilkenny and the area.
Sentiment score: 0.26
As the Deputy will appreciate, I do not have information in respect of that issue. I will certainly ask about the Black Quarry roundabout and ask people to liaise with Deputy McGuinness on the matter. I take the point the Deputy makes that too many cooks spoil everything, but it is important Kilkenny County Council, as the lead agency, can liaise with other stakeholders. I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Brien's officials to liaise with Deputy McGuinness.
Sentiment score: 0.34
Safeguarding long-term financial sustainability while being responsive to passenger needs remains a central commitment under the programme for Government. Achieving this requires a careful balance between delivering high-quality reliable services and ensuring that the network is adequately resourced to meet growing demand. Passenger numbers have continued to rise in recent years, with a record-breaking 363.5 million journeys undertaken just last year. As the statutory body responsible for regulating fares across services operated under PSO contracts, the NTA is central to shaping a public transport system that is fair, efficient and accessible. Through its management of fare strategies, it helps to ensure that pricing structures support social inclusion and the modal shift while also underpinning the financial viability and resilience of the network. Public transport fares in Ireland remain comparatively low due to a range of targeted measures introduced in recent years. For context, Ireland's farebox recovery average stands at 38% when compared to a 44% European average. Including the young adult card, the 90-minute fare and free travel for children under nine years of age, such targeted initiatives have significantly improved affordability and accessibility. They also increase reliance on subsidy, making fare revenue a critical component of maintaining a financially sustainable PSO model. In line with international best practice, prioritising the reinvestment of the fare revenue is essential to support service improvements, expansion and system resilience. Maintaining a stable funding base is, therefore, critical to sustaining service levels and ensuring public transport continues to meet passenger needs over the long term. Regarding budget 2027, the PSO funding allocation will be subject to the annual budgetary and Estimates process. As is standard in all budgetary deliberations between Departments and State agencies, a comprehensive assessment of all service provision costs and requirements will be undertaken, with a strong focus on ensuring value, fairness and accessibility for all passengers.
Sentiment score: 0.39
Everything will be considered in the budgetary deliberations for next year. As the Deputy knows, all deliberations between our Department and the various agencies under it are subject to a thorough assessment in terms of their service provision, cost and requirements. There is a strong commitment to and focus on ensuring that value, fairness and accessibility for all passengers is achieved. Looking at what we have done, we have made public transport accessible for people through the young adult card, the PSO uplift and the funding of cost-of-living measures. The point the Deputy makes as to how we can get more people to use public transport and to incentivise them is one on which we must reflect. I certainly have heard it from many people in terms of the taxsaver scheme. If we look at the whole national fares strategy, it is one we are always looking to examine, review and analyse. As the Deputy says, this is about getting people in that modal shift. He referred to other routes in his earlier contributions. I will certainly take the Deputy's point back to the Minister and the Department, but I cannot give any answer this morning because the budgetary process has not commenced yet.
Sentiment score: 0.14
I think the Deputy has raised this matter before. The important point I would make is that we are committed as a Government to maintaining a fare strategy that is fair and equitable. We are committed to helping to ensure that the pricing structure supports social inclusion and the modal shift, whether it is in Cork, Galway, Dublin or Offaly. It does not matter where. For us, our public transport provision is very important. If we look at the comparison to Europe, the farebox recovery average stands at 38% compared to the 44% European average. I will take the point the Deputy makes back to the Department. We are committed to improving the offerings for people. We have a very good model of fare strategy, and if there are improvements to be made, let us make those happen.
Sentiment score: 0.33
Delays in the entry into service of new buses are very much regrettable. However, I must emphasise that the storing of buses while we deploy charging infrastructure is preferable to deferring their purchase in the first place until we have a charger available for every bus. If an alternative approach had been adopted where buses were only purchased after charging infrastructure was installed to ensure no delay in fleet absorption, the cost of purchasing fleet would have significantly escalated in recent years due to inflation. As an example, if electric bus purchases were deferred by one year from their actual order placement dates, the additional purchase cost of the buses would have been approximately €12 million, compared to around €7 million in costs that have actually been incurred as a result of bus storage. As of today, over 250 battery electric buses have been accepted into the Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleets across the country, including the operation of our first fully electric services in Limerick and Athlone. Ninety-eight battery electric buses are currently awaiting deployment pending the installation of charging infrastructure. The 56 buses to be deployed in the greater Dublin area are planned to enter service later this year. The 42 remaining buses for use in Galway are all planned to enter into operation late this year and early 2027. There can be a 12-to-48-month timeline when ordering a new electric bus, while installing charging infrastructure typically requires securing planning approval and subsequent procurement of charger supplier and installation. Achieving full alignment between the delivery of the new electric bus fleet and the charger installations is challenging. The delay is regrettable, as the Deputy said. To help address the mismatched timelines of charging capacity and fleet delivery in future, the NTA plans to award a new national electric bus charging infrastructure framework later this month. This framework, from which suppliers can be accessed for depot electrification projects anywhere in the country in the future, will replace the fragmented, project-by-project procurement approach to date. I hope that gives the Deputy some answers to her question.
Sentiment score: 0.07
I will have the Department communicate with Deputy Boland. I take the point she makes and it is a very fair point. The overarching point is we must be conscious of spending public money and I take her point on both.
Sentiment score: 0.13