Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
228. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Transport the proportion of moneys currently invested by his Department in night-time public transport services compared with investment in day-time services and if he is satisfied that current spending is adequate. [18381/22]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport; however, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally. In addition, since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the NTA. The allocations to the companies are decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers.
In light of the Authority’s responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's specific question in relation to the proportion of public transport expenditure which is currently spent on overnight or 24 hour bus services to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
