Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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133. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any plan to introduce free Leap cards for those in emergency homeless accommodation and in international protection in order that they can make essential journeys. [29704/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of fares charged to passengers in respect of public transport services provided under public service obligation (PSO) contracts.

While there are currently no plans to provide free Leap cards to those in emergency homeless accommodation and in international protection, I wish to advise the Deputy that since 2022 my Department has provided funding to the NTA for the provision of emergency public transport services for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) housed in remote parts of Ireland, as a result of fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This funding for Ukrainian BOTPs is provided on a quarterly basis to the NTA. In 2022, the total amount of this funding was €1.287m and the total amount in 2023 was €2.656m. The allocation for 2024 is €4 million.

Routes identified through the Connecting Ireland consultation process are being prioritised to provide emergency public transport services to those Ukrainian BOTPs housed in rural or isolated locations to ensure better access to our local communities. This is being achieved through an acceleration of network improvements, including additional stops, route modifications, and more services with the aim to increase connectivity. To date over 100 new and enhanced services have been rolled out nationwide under Connecting Ireland.