asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the profits earned by the Dublin United Transport Company and the heavy financial burden in the form of bus fares on working-class families living in municipal housing schemes in the outer Dublin suburbs, he will make representations to the Dublin United Transport Company on the urgent need of providing special cheap fares for work people, and school children, who are under the necessity of travelling to and from such housing schemes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cheap Bus Fares for Workers and School Children.
Despite the increased costs of operation and the drastic reductions in the matter of operation of services, the Dublin United Transport Company have not increased fares during the emergency, and the present fares are very much below the existing statutory maximum. I understand that the company have under consideration proposals for general reductions in fares to come into operation whenever normal services can be restored. In these circumstances and having regard to the uncertainty of maintaining the company's services even at their present restricted level, I am not prepared to press the company in the matter of reduced fares at the present time.
Children under 15 years of age are already entitled to travel at half fares on the services of the D.U.T. Company and I am not disposed to make any recommendation to the company for further reductions in such fares.
Is the Minister aware that, according to the published reports of this company, its profits increased from £60,000 in 1938 to £271,000 last year, and that, in relation to its housing schemes, one of the vital problems affecting the Dublin Corporation is that, in addition to the rent, the tenants have to pay heavy bus fares, and, as a result, are cutting down on essential foods? It has been recognised by many authorities over a long period that there should be cheap transport facilities for the people who are compelled to leave condemned houses in the city and to go to live in the outer suburbs, and if it is possible to make practical suggestions which would not increase the number of passengers to be carried but would merely reduce the financial burden on these tenants, would the Minister consider the matter sympathetically in principle ?
The fares from the new housing areas were reduced in 1939, and have not been increased since. I do not think the present is a suitable time in which to consider any general recasting of the company's charging system, because it is impossible to be certain, even a month ahead, that existing services can be maintained. It is contemplated that there will be a general reduction of fares on the company's system in Dublin, and possibly a recasting of its charging methods, when normal services can be restored. I think that, having regard to the fact that the fares have not been increased during the emergency, despite the heavy increase in costs and the considerable reduction in services, the present position cannot be regarded as unsatisfactory.
The Minister has not answered my question. Does he consider it more important that the transport company should increase its profits by 400 per cent. rather than that the people in Crumlin and the other areas should get sufficient food? Is he not aware that, as a result of lack of food, the T.B. rate in Crumlin is four times what it is in the City of Dublin?
That is outside the question on the Order Paper.
It is a controversial question.