asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has plans to reduce the cost of public transport to levels which would be competitive with public transport prices in Northern Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Transport Cost.
17.
Comparison between the levels of public transport costs in Northern Ireland and here cannot validly be made because they are not derived from the same bases.
CIE have been unable, in the rapid cost inflation in recent years, despite increased productivity, to meet rising costs and substantial financial assistance has had to be provided for the board by the Exchequer.
As the Deputy is aware, a Supplementary Estimate is being introduced today for payment of an additional £4.464 million to CIE to meet the board's excess deficit in the current financial year. This sum is in addition to the annual statutory subvention of £2.65 million payable to the board under the Transport Act, 1964.
It will be clear, therefore, that there is no scope for a reduction in CIE charges.
Could the Minister tell me the average cost per mile of passenger services in CIE?
Is the Deputy talking about total passenger cost?
The average cost per mile.
It is 1.65p.
Per passenger mile?
Yes: transport cost per mile.
Per seat mile or passenger mile?
Per passenger mile.
Is the Minister aware that the figure in Northern Ireland is roughly one new penny per mile?
It is not quite that. It varies. For Northern Railway it is 1.53; for Ulster Bus, 1.79.
Is it as high at that?
Yes.
May I ask the Minister can he explain why the service from Dungarvan, through Clonmel, to Dublin is averaging——
That is a separate question.
I may say that the position in the North is considerably facilitated by reason of the fact that they have hived off practically all their rail systems, in the process, creating considerable disemployment. We are concerned about the fact that of the 20,000 employees in CIE, 10,000 are employed on the railways.
Question No. 18. The Minister for Social Welfare.
May I ask the Minister——
The Deputy has had three supplementaries. The Deputy may not ask the Minister.
I want to ask the Minister why he can provide a service from Dungarvan to Dublin costing seven-tenths of a penny per mile and the Donegal people have to pay over twopence.
I have already pointed out to the Deputy that that question is not in order.
Why is there discrimination against Donegal people? I am talking about the passengers who go to Donegal by service bus. I am not talking about the former Minister.