Since 2010 there is no subvention paid directly by my Department for public transport services. The award of Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA), which has direct responsibility for this area. The total Public Service Obligation (PSO) subvention provided to the CIE companies in the years 2008 to 2014 is set out in the following table.
Schedule of Exchequer Subvention to CIÉ: 2008 to 2014
Year
|
Iarnród Éireann
|
Bus Éireann
|
Bus Átha Cliath
|
Holding Company
|
TOTAL
|
|
€000
|
€000
|
€000
|
€000
|
€000
|
2008
|
181,152
|
41,846
|
85,629
|
-
|
308,627
|
2009
|
170,624
|
49,365
|
83,199
|
-
|
303,188
|
2010
|
155,137
|
45,039
|
75,682
|
-
|
275,858
|
2011
|
148,689
|
43,410
|
73,042
|
-
|
265,141
|
2012
|
166,412
|
36,882
|
74,766
|
-
|
278,060*
|
2013
|
126,888
|
34,476
|
64,902
|
-
|
226,266
|
2014
|
117,409*
|
31,899
|
60,054
|
-
|
209,362
|
*Included in this amount is €10.66m paid to Iarnrod Eireann under the Infrastructure Manager Multi Annual Contract (IMMAC).
As regards inflation, transport is one of twelve categories used by the CSO to calculate the Consumer Price Index. The transport index is reviewed monthly by the CSO and is based on the cost of vehicles, the operating costs of personal transport equipment and the costs of transport services. In terms of the relevant NTA contracts with operators, the NTA adopt a methodology for contract prices and indexation. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA to provide more detailed information. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.