Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 January 2017
282. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the State subsidy paid to Bus Éireann per capita of population served is five times less than that provided to Dublin Bus; the policy he has to address this issue and to ensure equality of treatment of all areas in the country in relation to public bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2361/17]
View answerI am unsure as regards the base year or precise methodology upon which the Deputy is calculating his ratios and in the context of 2016 population and subsidy levels would question whether the Deputy's statement reflects the current position.
Irrespective of that, I have previously stated that accurately benchmarking the level of subsidy paid to transport operators can be a difficult task given the very different services which operators provide. The amount of subsidy provided is reflective of the operator's contractual responsibilities under their public service contracts with the National Transport Authority, which since 2010 is statutorily responsible for the allocation of subsidies to individual transport operators.
I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
