Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
250. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of including coaches and buses in the €100 emergency support scheme that has been introduced for licensed hauliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16469/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, a whole of Government approach is being adopted with regard to the Ukrainian crisis. I am pleased to advise that a high-level group has been established in the Department of Transport to monitor and respond as appropriate to the crisis and its impact on the transport sector. The group is informed by other Government Departments, agencies and key transport stakeholders and seeks to ensure a coordinated response to the evolving situation.
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, and for the allocation of associated funding to the relevant transport operators.
Licensed bus and coach operators are an integral part of the overall public transport system particularly in areas which are not covered by existing public service bus and rail services. In recognition of this, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the Government have provided temporary financial supports for certain licensed commercial services with a view to protecting capacity across the public transport sector throughout the crisis. The temporary support was initially introduced for a period of 6-months in June 2020, however owing to the continued impact of Covid-19 on passenger numbers and the associated drop in fare revenue, these supports have been extended a number of times. Over €60 million has been provided to the sector to date. In acknowledgment of the continuing difficulties facing this sector, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I recently approved an extension of the supports for a further 3 months, up to the 30 June 2022.
As the Deputy is aware, fuel costs have increased substantially since the commencement of the Scheme in June 2020, and I wish to confirm that the NTA has funded the Operators for actual fuel costs throughout this period and will continue to do so throughout the extension of the Scheme.
Moreover, to ensure the continued operation of public transport services in rural parts of Ireland, the NTA have recently provided an additional level of subvention to support Local Link operators in the delivery of these services. These are provided to operators who are on fixed rate contracts and therefore are receiving no further increases to their base contracted rates. Currently, the funding has been provided to cover the costs for Quarter 1 2022. This is a once off payment initially, and the situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
Given the NTA's statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally, I have also referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. I ask the Deputy to please contact my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 days.
