I thank the Minister of State. The cost of fares is obviously a significant expense for people who rely on public transport. At a time when households right across the State are struggling with rising costs, rising rents and rising everything else, there is a need for the Government to be upfront with people as to whether commuters will face an increase in public transport fares. In the Minister of State's response, he has not given any clarity as to whether fares may increase. I want to raise the taxsaver scheme because this is one area where commuters try to save money on their fares. While many people have the opportunity to participate in that scheme, it is only available to commuters who are employed at companies that are taking part in the scheme. It has been raised with me that this requirement means that a whole cohort of people are being excluded from the scheme. I understand that the Department of Finance has a role in that also. Has the Department of Transport given any consideration to extending this scheme to all employers to make everybody eligible to benefit from it?

Sentiment score: 0.17

It would be good if changes could be considered. A related issue I wish to raise is the significant difference that commuters in Galway are paying for rail fares compared to other parts of the State, particularly Dublin. I had a constituent in touch with me highlighting that rail passengers between Athenry and Galway city pay €5.10 each way for a 20-minute train journey. At the same time, a commuter travelling between Clonsilla to Connolly Station in Dublin, a journey of roughly 30 minutes, can travel for approximately €2.60 each way. Athenry to Galway is a commuter route. There is clearly an unfairness in passengers on those trains having to pay significantly more - double what a commuter in Dublin could expect to pay. At a time when the Government is trying to encourage and promote the use of public transport, why are commuters in Galway paying twice what commuters in Dublin could expect to pay for their rail fares, especially given that public transport is much more limited in the west? Will the Minister of State review this difference in fares and ensure that commuters in Galway are treated fairly when it comes to the cost of public transport?

Sentiment score: 0.25