Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 May 2022
63. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the additional funding provided for public transport in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively; the specific funding that related to Covid-19; the level of public service obligation subsidy provided to each operator in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25063/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to COVID-19, €287 million of Exchequer funding was provided for PSO services in Budget 2020; however, since 2020, additional funding has been required to continue to address the significant COVID impact on public transport provision.
All PSO providers are currently in receipt of emergency support funding to compensate for fare revenue loss arising as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on the sector, and the associated fall in passenger numbers (passenger numbers fell to below 10% of 2019 levels at the height of the restrictions). Further, on 25/06/2020 Government approved the introduction of temporary financial supports for the licensed bus sector – commercial operators (in accordance with EU and national legislation).
In Budget 2020, and prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of €304 million was provided for PSO and Local Link rural regular services. Due to the impact of Covid-19, which resulted in the collapse of fare revenue on public transport, a further €370 million was allocated to enable the continued operation of public transport services in 2020.
In Budget 2021, over €670m was allocated for the provision of PSO services, while in 2022, €538m was secured to support PSO services, including over €200m to address COVID expenses (i.e. loss of fare revenue, cleaning costs). €9m of the €538m allocation has been provided as ongoing support for the licensed bus sector for the first three months of the year. While, over €15m was also been allocated to support Local Link regular service provision in rural Ireland.
In relation to the level of public service obligation subsidy provided to each operator in each of those years, the allocations to the transport operators for the provision of public transport services are decided by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. Therefore, in light of the NTA's responsibility in this area I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
