Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2024
13. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he continues to monitor transport costs and the contributory factors thereto with a view to ensuring that any negative impact on the economy might be alleviated insofar as is possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4545/24]
View answerThis is with regard to transport costs and the extent to which the Minister continues to monitor those costs with a view to measuring their impact on the economy.
The Minister might try to get that out in one minute.
It is difficult; the reply looks like more than a minute's worth. I very much agree with the Deputy. Perhaps in the limited time I have, I could give some figures that I did not give earlier. That might answer the question in a way. This is part of the Supplementary Estimate I have but it is just to give an understanding of the figures. I will focus on the cost of public transport for one example because we were talking about that with regard to north Kildare and so on.
The public service obligation spending on public transport went from €914 million in 2019 to €1.046 billion in 2022, and last year it increased to €1.256 billion. These are the overall figures. It is very interesting to consider the revenue figures. In 2019, revenue was €601 million. In 2022, when we were coming out of Covid it was €473 million. Last year, revenue increased to €539 million, which is significant. It still leaves a big gap that we have to cover in public transport services. To go back to the broader point, what is significant is that we reduced fares by 50% for those under the age of 26 and by 20% for the wider population but actual revenue increased because public transport numbers increased. This tells an underlying story. There is an appetite among the public, who want to use the services when we provide them.
We still have a real challenge. We will have a real budget challenge in how we meet the costs and the Minister for Finance, Deputy McGrath, who is sitting behind me, is aware of this more than anyone else. The benefits of this investment are reduced congestion and better economic development. People get to work faster with less time stuck in traffic. There is better economic activity as people are able to get to the shops and to work. I will answer the question with these figures, which give the broad outline of where we are, what we are spending and how much revenue we are getting. I hope in some way it satisfies the Deputy.
We will break the rules and give Deputy Durkan the last word.
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for the reply. It clearly indicates the importance of ensuring that adequate investment is made in the infrastructure required to ensure the maximum beneficial impact on the country's economy.
