Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:2440. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost to restore the CIÉ subvention to 2008 levels. [33554/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 July 2019
Ceisteanna (2440, 2441)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:2441. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost to restore the CIÉ subvention to 2008 levels and add 33%. [33555/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2440 and 2441 together.
As the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.
The PSO subsidy represents one of a multiple of operator revenue streams; other sources include State funding through the free travel scheme from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection as well as fare revenue and independent sources such as advertising revenue. In 2008 PSO services were provided exclusively by the CIÉ companies and total PSO funding of almost €309m was provided to the companies as follows: Iarnród Éireann €181m, Dublin Bus €86m and Bus Éireann €42m.
I secured €287m in Exchequer funding for Public Service Obligation (PSO) service delivery in 2019. Since 2010, the PSO subvention is no longer paid directly by my Department to transport operators. The award and subvention of PSO contracts now falls under the statutory remit of the National Transport Authority (NTA). The allocations to the transport companies, including the CIÉ 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. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question 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 42A