Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
59. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if he has engaged with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in relation to reducing public transport fares for pensioners who have not yet reached the State pension age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5019/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is investing in significant service and infrastructure improvements, as well as funding the various fare initiatives that have been introduced in recent Budgets, and of course continuing to support the Free Travel Scheme which is a policy responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
All of these improvements and initiatives do however require significant levels of funding and that means we need to think carefully about how best to use available funding.
In line with this Government’s responsibility to encourage modal shift and to benefit public transport passengers, we are investing in initiatives such as BusConnects in every city, new and enhanced Town Services in the bigger towns and Connecting Ireland in rural areas. On rail we’re also supporting improvements across the network on both commuter and inter-city services.
We have also continued the 20% average PSO fare initiative and the 90-minute fare, all of which are available to those persons who have not yet reached the State pension age. However, there are no plans to further reduce public transport fares at this time.
Specific questions in relation to the eligibility of persons for the Free Travel Scheme should be directed toward my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
