Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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444. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 18 February 2021, if his attention has been drawn to a bulletin (details supplied) which recommends the use of natural ventilation in trains during both train stops and train travel to further reduce the spread of Covid-19; the analysis his Department has carried out or commissioned to ascertain the adequacy of the natural, forced and air circulation ventilation systems on Iarnród Éireann trains, particularly in trains in which the windows cannot be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20578/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Continued operation of the public transport sector is important and public transport has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the COVID-19 crisis.

A number of measures have been introduced across the system, guided by public health advice, to ensure the continued operation of services safely during the pandemic, including enhanced cleaning regimes and social-distancing measures across the network.

The Government is committed to ensuring that essential transport services, and passengers utilising these services, are protected and supported. The National Transport Authority (NTA) continues to be guided by public health advice regarding safety measures across the public transport system and is working closely with transport operators, including Iarnród Éireann, with regard to the implementation of specific measures.

I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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445. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider increasing the 25% cap on public transport capacity in line with the recent easing of Covid restrictions and the full reopening of schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20687/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Continued operation of the public transport sector is important, and public transport has been designated among the essential services that have carried on during the Covid crisis.

An Taoiseach announced on 31st March last, that due to our collective success in reducing case numbers, some Level 5 restrictions would be lifted from April 12th. The Government's "Living with Covid" Plan sets out capacity guidance for public transport at each of the 5 risk levels identified in the Plan. With the current Level 5 restrictions, public transport operators are still restricted to using only 25% of the passenger-carrying capacity on their vehicles. Importantly, the Plan's Level 5 guidance on working from home where possible and on the closure of social, leisure and other facilities has significantly reduced the demand for public transport. There is continued strong messaging that public transport capacity remains restricted and, therefore, should only be used for essential travel, with only those who have to travel at peak times doing so.

Since the move to level 5, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and PSO bus operators in Dublin (Dublin Bus and Go-Ahead Ireland), have re-allocated a number of vehicles and drivers across the network to enhance the capacity in areas where they were experiencing capacity issues. People are also being encouraged to walk or cycle where practical. The advice is aimed at ensuring public transport is safeguarded for those who need it most but, in particular, frontline workers and schoolchildren.

The NTA and my Department are closely monitoring public transport demand and will continue to be guided by public health advice. The NTA and operators are continuing to monitor passenger loadings and, where necessary, additional services will be provided on certain routes at relevant times of the day subject to driver availability.