Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:199. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport the annual costs of PSO funding for all transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23800/23]
View answerThursday, 18 May 2023
Questions (199)
Written answers
As 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 and for the scheduling and timetabling of these services in conjunction with the relevant transport operators.
This Government is firmly committed to enhancing and expanding our public transport services provision across the country. To support this objective, in Budget 2023, I secured a €563.55 million funding package to support the PSO services.
Since 2010, the award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) funding falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services 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.
Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy's question in relation to the annual costs of PSO funding for all transport services, to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51