Written Answers Nos. 263-287
263. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants currently working in his Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for the role in tabular form. [20626/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned three Special Advisers who will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers. These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
No civil service secondees have been assigned as part of my advisory team.
264. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of passengers arriving here on a weekly basis from 12 March 2020 by country including seaports and airports in tabular form. [20628/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra265. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of persons travelling to and from the 15 green list countries on a daily basis between 21 and 27 July by country, including sea ports and airports in tabular form. [20629/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department compiles and publishes quarterly statistics from our airports, which are available on the government website https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/0e1fd9-dttas-quarterly-aviation-statistics-snapshot/. Those statistics focus on all commercial movements and all passenger numbers through Ireland’s airports. Due to the outbreak of Covid-19 the Department has begun requesting statistics relating to passengers arriving in the State by the country of departure. Statistics in this regard including countries on the green list are currently available for passengers arriving in Ireland through the State Airports for the weeks 29 June to 5 July, 6 to 12 July and 13 to 19 July 2020 and are given in tabular form below. Statistics for the week 20 to 26 July are not yet available.
A breakdown of arrivals into Ireland by Irish residents returning home or foreign residents visiting Ireland is not available. All statistics set out below are provisional figures provided by the airport and are subject to change.
The table below shows the approximate number of passengers arriving in Ireland through Dublin Airport. The figures do not include transfers
|
Country of Departure |
29 June - 05 July 2020 |
6 July - 12 July 2020 |
13 July - 19 July 2020 |
|
Austria |
155 |
162 |
229 |
|
Belgium |
499 |
527 |
678 |
|
Bulgaria |
276 |
295 |
287 |
|
Canada |
118 |
132 |
142 |
|
Croatia |
198 |
257 |
357 |
|
Cyprus |
25 |
31 |
63 |
|
Czech Republic |
137 |
175 |
267 |
|
Denmark |
213 |
246 |
325 |
|
Estonia |
103 |
84 |
154 |
|
France |
1,055 |
1,755 |
2,137 |
|
Germany |
1,433 |
1,656 |
2,019 |
|
Greece |
124 |
221 |
439 |
|
Hungary |
272 |
333 |
458 |
|
Italy |
748 |
881 |
1,324 |
|
Latvia |
372 |
396 |
498 |
|
Lebanon |
170 |
0 |
0 |
|
Lithuania |
339 |
394 |
566 |
|
Malta |
58 |
97 |
168 |
|
Moldova |
355 |
231 |
345 |
|
Montenegro |
4 |
14 |
66 |
|
Netherlands |
1,708 |
2,020 |
2,041 |
|
Norway |
0 |
0 |
64 |
|
Poland |
1,444 |
1,634 |
2,020 |
|
Portugal |
892 |
1,123 |
1,697 |
|
Qatar |
307 |
254 |
314 |
|
Ireland |
257 |
274 |
309 |
|
Romania |
669 |
1,071 |
1,079 |
|
Slovakia |
0 |
177 |
155 |
|
Spain |
1,570 |
2,842 |
4,965 |
|
Sweden |
30 |
75 |
202 |
|
Switzerland |
333 |
435 |
590 |
|
Turkey |
135 |
205 |
357 |
|
Ukraine |
83 |
66 |
104 |
|
UAE |
1,205 |
806 |
647 |
|
United Kingdom |
6,795 |
8,742 |
10,743 |
|
USA |
1,074 |
992 |
1,122 |
|
Total |
23,156 |
28,603 |
36,931 |
The table below shows the approximate number of passengers arriving in Ireland through Cork Airport. The figures do not include transfer passengers.
|
Country of Departure |
29 June - 5 July 2020 |
6 July - 12 July 2020 |
13 July - 19 July 2020 |
|
France |
90 |
104 |
120 |
|
Hungary |
56 |
78 |
81 |
|
Italy |
38 |
52 |
85 |
|
Malta |
17 |
46 |
42 |
|
Poland |
292 |
368 |
363 |
|
Portugal |
25 |
56 |
101 |
|
Spain |
225 |
284 |
450 |
|
Switzerland |
0 |
42 |
38 |
|
United Kingdom |
988 |
1,144 |
1,566 |
|
Total |
1,731 |
2,174 |
2,846 |
The table below shows the approximate number of passengers arriving in Ireland through Shannon Airport. The figures do not include transfer passengers.
|
Country of Departure |
29 June - 5 July 2020 |
6 July - 12 July 2020 |
13 July - 19 July 2020 |
|
Austria |
20 |
15 |
30 |
|
Barbados |
0 |
7 |
0 |
|
Canada |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
Lithuania |
43 |
63 |
70 |
|
Poland |
175 |
199 |
238 |
|
Portugal |
28 |
26 |
67 |
|
Spain |
93 |
151 |
332 |
|
United Kingdom |
475 |
685 |
772 |
|
USA |
2 |
0 |
13 |
|
Total |
836 |
1,147 |
1,522 |
In relation to ports, the Department does not have the level of detail requested by the Deputy with regard to passengers departing and arriving by Sea and passenger numbers by specific country of departure through Ireland’s ports are not currently available. None of the ferries that travel to and from Ireland go to any of the 15 countries on the Green List. The Irish Maritime Development Office has been providing statistics since the start of the COVID crisis on the number of passengers arriving and departing on a weekly basis by Corridor. The table shows the most up to date information on approximate number of passengers arriving at Irish Ports each week from 30 March to 19 July. Please note that these figures account for passengers both arriving into and departing from Ireland’s ports.
The Central corridor accounts for services to/from the port of Dublin to Great Britain. This includes sailings to Holyhead by Irish Ferries and Stena Line; to Liverpool by P&O Ferries and Seatruck Ferries; and to Heysham by Seatruck. The Southern corridor includes routes to/from Rosslare- to Fishguard by Stena Line and Rosslare to Pembroke by Irish Ferries. The Continental corridor covers all direct services to/from Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain from Dublin, Rosslare and Cork. Passenger services go to/from Rosslare to France and Spain and from Cork to France.
|
|
March 30-April 5 |
April 6-12 |
April 13-19 |
April 20-26 |
|
Central |
1,524 |
1,533 |
1,873 |
2,205 |
|
Southern |
337 |
215 |
293 |
244 |
|
Continental |
633 |
586 |
529 |
552 |
|
Total |
2,494 |
2,334 |
2,695 |
3,001 |
|
|
April 27-May 3 |
May 4-10 |
May 11-17 |
May18-24 |
|
Central |
1,620 |
2,154 |
2,726 |
3,069 |
|
Southern |
345 |
411 |
788 |
709 |
|
Continental |
516 |
588 |
718 |
921 |
|
Total |
2,481 |
3,153 |
4,232 |
4,699 |
|
|
May25-31 |
June 1-7 |
June 8-14 |
June 15-21 |
|
Central |
4,694 |
5,407 |
6,147 |
7,954 |
|
Southern |
899 |
1102 |
1368 |
1345 |
|
Continental |
904 |
1025 |
847 |
922 |
|
Total |
6,497 |
7,534 |
8,362 |
10,221 |
|
|
June 22-28 |
June29-July 5 |
July 6-12 |
July 13-19 |
|
Central |
9,302 |
10,095 |
11,245 |
13,393 |
|
Southern |
1485 |
2046 |
2796 |
3288 |
|
Continental |
880 |
1453 |
1371 |
1618 |
|
Total |
11,667 |
13,594 |
15,412 |
18,299 |
The CSO has also published monthly Air and Sea Travel Statistics up until the end of March 2020. The latest figures available can be found at the following link: https://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/ast/airandseatravelstatisticsmarch2020/
266. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that adequate capacity is provided on a bus route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20730/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. Day-to-day management and operational aspects of public transport are the responsibility of the individual operators - in this case Bus Éireann - in conjunction with the NTA
Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
267. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met with senior management at an airline (details supplied) since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra268. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met with senior management at an airline (details supplied) since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20737/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 268 together.
On 10 July, both Minister of State Naughton and I met senior managers from the airlines together with other members of the Aviation Recovery Taskforce. On that same day we both took part in a video call with the CEO of Aer Lingus. On 27 July, Minister of State Naughton had a video call with senior management from Ryanair
Officials from my Department also maintain regular contact with both airlines.
269. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he met with the senior management of the Dublin Airport Authority since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20738/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that I have meet with the CEO and Chair of daa since coming to office and am fully aware of the challenges faced by the Company. I met with the CEO and Chair specifically on 17 July 2020 and participated in a videocall with the Aviation Recovery Taskforce on 10 July, in which the CEO of daa also participated.
270. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of times he has met with the senior management of the Shannon Group since coming to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20739/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that I have had the opportunity to meet with the Shannon Group CEO since coming to office. Minister of State Naughton has also met with the CEO and Chairperson and is fully aware of the challenges faced by the Company, particularly Shannon Airport and Shannon Heritage. I can also advise the Deputy that Minister of State Naughton also plans to travel to Shannon to meet again with the CEO and Chair of Shannon Airport next month.
271. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to a commitment in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20740/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to sustainable mobility and the Deputy will acknowledge that the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future makes a strong commitment to fundamentally change the nature of transport in Ireland. To deliver on this will require a whole-of-system perspective across all modes of transport – including active travel, bus, and rail.
I welcome the Deputy’s support for the specific Programme for Government commitment he refers to in his question and look forward to his thoughts on best it can be delivered. The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government states that the commitment will be developed through the Department of the Taoiseach and will be informed by a group of experts from the public service, academia, NGOs and the private sector. The work will also be informed by the experience of other jurisdictions that have already developed similar measures in recent years. I look forward to that work commencing and the development of the measures of wellbeing and progress in due course.
At a policy level in transport, the primary objective is to embed long-term strategic transport planning and provide the type of longer term horizon required to deliver better outcomes. I think that objective complements very well the type of work envisaged through the development of new measures of wellbeing and progress as committed to in the Programme for Government.
One jurisdiction that has developed similar such measures of wellbeing in recent years is New Zealand and I note that one of their ‘neighbourhood and environmental’ indicators is “ease of access to public transport”. The multi-modal approach toward accessing accessibility explicit in that indicator captures very well the multi-modal approach adopted by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in its development of the first ever Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016 to 2035 and that multi-modal approach will again be evident in the NTA's forthcoming review of the Strategy which, I understand, will commence later this year. The Strategy is a statutory document and its review will be conducted in line with the statutory requirements of the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 (as amended). In line with the commitments given in the existing Strategy, I can assure the Deputy that the possibility of a heavy rail link to Navan will be reviewed by the NTA in line with its statutory obligations.
272. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which a rural taxi driver that may be in an area with no phone or internet coverage will be able to operate electronic card payment machines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20753/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, including regulations governing the use of card payment machines, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
Accordingly, I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
273. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the payments for services or goods by his Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20784/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department routinely published details of expenditure on external service on the Gov.ie website.
Details of expenditure since 2015 is available at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/30ae9c-expenditure-on-external-services/
274. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount collected by each of the TII road tolls and PPP toll road concessions operators in each of the past five years to date. [20787/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra275. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount collected by TII road tolls and PPP toll road concessions operators in respect of moneys retained and or not collected by customers and or excess payments in each of the past five years to date. [20788/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount paid in compensation to toll operators on national routes on which traffic levels have fallen below expectations in each of the past five years; and the estimated compensation due to toll operators on national routes for fallen traffic levels in 2020 due to Covid-19. [20789/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 274, 275 and 276 together.
As Minister for Climate, Energy, Communications and Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing Exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
Noting the above position, I have referred the questions to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
277. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans in place to ensure there is adequate and appropriate transport services for adults with disabilities to attend day care services when they reopen. [20850/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger transport services nationally and the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. The NTA also has national responsibility for local and rural transport, including management of Local Link services.
My Department has, and continues to fulfil its policy and funding role relating to transport for people with disabilities through improving access to public transport services. Significant improvements have been made in making public transport accessible to people with disabilities. For example, accessibility features, such as wheelchair access and audio/visual aids, are built into all new public transport infrastructure from the design stage and we are progressively making older (legacy) infrastructure and services accessible.
However, it would seem that the Deputy’s Question relates to the provision of dedicated door-to-door transport services, which would not be open to the public, in the way that public transport services are. Such dedicated (closed) services are outside the public transport remit of either my Department or the NTA.
278. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the arrangements for ensuring adequate contact and monitoring of travellers entering Ireland in respect of the need to restrict their movements; the personnel that will undertake this work; the number of staff being allocated. [20867/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA number of measures are being implemented to strengthen the process around follow-up with international passengers in relation to the public health advice to restrict their movements when entering the country.
It is envisaged that the new electronic passenger locator form system, which will replace the existing paper based system, will involve a text messaging facility with the capability to issue daily reminders and public health information to persons required to restrict their movement. The new electronic passenger locator form system is being developed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
The daa is working to set up a call centre on an out-sourced basis with the capacity to carry out follow-up calls to check on arriving passengers from non-Green List countries who are required to restrict movement for 14-days, i.e. to ensure they are staying where they said they would stay per the passenger locator form. The full details of the call centre are currently being finalised, including the numbers of personnel required by the call centre to carry out this activity.
279. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to date under the €70 million funding package for sport during the Covid-19 crisis by date and association or organisation in tabular form. [20868/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the national sporting organisations and associations that have signed up to the memorandum of understanding to receive funding under the €70 million Covid-19 funding package. [20869/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure funding reaches schoolboy and schoolgirl soccer teams as part of the €70 million Covid-19 funding package. [20870/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 279, 280 and 281 together.
A funding package of up to €70 million was announced on Friday 19th June to support the sport sector, which has been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The funding package will be administered by Sport Ireland, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport. This funding package includes;
- Funding of up to €40m for the three main field sports organisations – the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU.
- a Resilience Fund of up to €10m to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport,
- a Sports Club Resilience Fund of up to €15m to support clubs, and
- a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund of up to €5m.
The funding will be administered by Sport Ireland and will be invested through new grant schemes with Sport Ireland’s recognised funding partners, i.e. National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sporting organisations.
Sport Ireland issued application forms for assistance under the grant schemes direct to funded bodies on Monday 27 July and hosted a meeting with funded bodies on Tuesday 28 July to outline the process. The closing date for applications to be submitted to Sport Ireland from funded organisations will be 14 September. It is anticipated that an announcement of funding allocations will be made by Sport Ireland in October 2020, dependent on the level of applications received.
Sport Ireland will engage directly with the Football Association of Ireland in respect of grant funding for the association and football clubs under these grant funding schemes.
In relation to the Deputy's reference to a Memorandum of Understanding, the Covid-19 funding support is being provided as grant funding by Sport Ireland and the terms and conditions of funding will be notified by Sport Ireland to grantees. There is no proposal to put any MOU in place in relation to this funding. As the Deputy is aware, an existing MOU is in place wth the Football Association of Ireland in respect of a financial support package approved for it by the then Government on 30 January 2020.
At a meeting on 27 July, my colleagues Minister Catherine Martin. T.D. and Minister of State Jack Chambers, T.D. confirmed to the Board of the FAI that it remains the case that the suspension of funding to the FAI will not be lifted until the Sport Ireland Board is satisfied that necessary progress has been made to implement the governance and financial control reforms set out in the aforementioned MOU.
282. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the financial struggles international athletes here are facing with the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021; his plans to assist athletes as they continue to prepare to represent Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20926/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
As the distribution of such funding, including funding for high performance, is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
283. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he has identified and will implement to increase participation by women in sport; if additional funding will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20927/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. This includes the allocation of funding to the Women in Sport programme.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
284. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he has identified and will implement to improve access to sport for those with a disability; if funding will be committed to in order to encourage such participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20928/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
I have referred the Deputy's Question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to actions it is taking to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport and physical activity. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 contains specific actions aimed at addressing the disability participation gradients. The actions that are planned will go a long way towards improving the situation and ensuring that opportunities exist for everyone who wants to participate in sport. A Sport Action Plan which is expected to be published later this year will include specific actions in this regard.
285. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if professional tourist guides will receive assistance during the Covid-19 pandemic in view of the difficulties the tourism industry is facing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20931/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe July Stimulus Package introduced significant measures to help support businesses and individuals to recover following the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The overall package of direct employment supports, cash grants, demand stimulation measures and tax reliefs will help tourism businesses and people working in the tourism sector in the current challenging environment. In regard to professional tour guides, depending on their employment circumstances, I would expect that the provisions on income tax relief for the self employed and the new EWSS scheme could be of benefit to them.
286. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if bed and breakfasts will receive assistance to adapt their premises during the Covid-19 pandemic, in view of the amount of funding they will have to spend to make their premises safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20932/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe July Stimulus Package introduced significant measures to help support businesses and individuals to recover following the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. To help businesses stabilise, reopen and reemploy their staff, enhanced direct grants will be provided from a revised ReStart Grant. This grant was increased and extended with an additional €300m in funding being provided. A number of businesses, such as B&Bs, not previously included in the scheme, are also now eligible and funding for B&Bs from the revised Restart grant will be administered through Fáilte Ireland.
In addition as part of the July Stimulus Package announced last week, a funding package of €26 million will be available for a Business Adaptation Grant Scheme to assist tourism and hospitality businesses with the costs of adapting their premises to meet public health requirements and making them safer for customers.
287. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an extension is being considered of the short hop rail zone in view of the need to increase the use of public transport and to provide a financial break to commuters returning to work during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20933/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for regulating fares charged by public transport operators, and it is not within my legal remit to restructure public transport fares.
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.
