asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware of the grave effect of increased passenger and freight charges by CIE for transport to the Aran Islands, County Galway; and if he will increase the subsidy to offset these charges.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Transport to Aran Islands.
20.
Under section 8 of the Transport Act, 1958, CIE are free to fix such charges as the Board thinks fit for any service provided by the Board.
As the Deputy is aware, transport to the Aran Islands is already being subsidised with the aid of the annual grant of £2 million payable to CIE under the Transport Act, 1964. The operating loss on the service will be £16,000 in the current year as against revenue of £23,000. This is, therefore, one of the few miscellaneous services of CIE where the operating losses entail further subsidisation. The annual grant to CIE has been fixed by legislation for the five-year period ending 31st March, 1969, and no additional subsidies are available to CIE which could be utilised to reduce rates and fares on the Aran Islands service.