Opening Statement to the Public Accounts Committee on the examination of the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Financial Statements for 2024 on the 15th January 2026.
“Cathaoirleach, Committee members, thank you for the invitation to appear before the Committee today.
I understand that the Committee wishes to discuss the National Transport Authority’s (NTA) Financial Statements for 2024. To assist in dealing with questions that may arise during the meeting, I am joined by Hugh Creegan, Deputy Chief Executive, Philip L’Estrange, Director of Finance and Corporate Services and Jeremy Ryan, Director of Public Transport Services.
Key Highlights
For brevity, this opening statement will only cover key highlights around some of the key areas of the NTA’s responsibility from the 2024 Annual Report and Financial Statement which address the policy objectives around the economy, climate action and social wellbeing.
The remit of the NTA
The NTA is a statutory non-commercial body which operates under the aegis of the Department of Transport. The remit of NTA, under various enabling legislation, relates to a variety of responsibilities which include the planning, development and funding of sustainable transport modes on a national basis, the regulation of commercial public bus services and small public service vehicles and managing an extensive capital programme including being the approving body for three mega projects (Metrolink, BusConnects and Dart+) .
Guided by national mobility policy
The work of the NTA is guided by national mobility policy to meet the Department of Transports ambition for 50% of all journeys to be made by walking cycling and public transport by 2030, the aim being to ensure the provision of a transport system which benefits people by facilitating and enabling social, cultural and economic development as well as responding to the challenge of meeting carbon neutrality by 2050.
Two sources of research
The need for the investment being made in transport can be highlighted within two sources of research by the Department of Transport (DoT) on the impact of congestion on the economic performance within the State firstly concentrating on the Greater Dublin Area [1] and secondly in regional Cities 2022-2040 [2]. This research identified that within the GDA the cost of congestion to society will rise to €1.5bn by 2040 and €2bn nationally without intervention with many other associated social, health and wellbeing impacts. To minimise the cost of congestion, accommodate the growing population, and meet climate policy obligations, continuous improvements are needed in sustainable transport in each city as well as the Connecting Ireland programme covering the non-urban areas. This brings sharply into focus the work of the NTA and its delivery in 2024 towards achieving this.
NTA engaged with local authorities nationally
In carrying out its responsibilities during 2024 the NTA engaged with local authorities nationally on the preparation of development and local area plans for key towns and settlements to assist in the prioritisation of transport investment in local areas to support a growing population, tackle rising congestion and address it’s the negative impacts on the economy and the environment. During 2024 ten local transport plans were drafted and consulted on and have helped inform direction of travel for investment in sustainable transport modes working closely with local authorities and communities.
Areas of delivery and investment during 2024 and key successes
The Financial Statements set out the areas of delivery and investment during 2024 and key successes as well as progressing future programmes through their statutory processes for future delivery working towards various targets as mentioned.
Some of the outcomes of the work undertaken during 2024 are captured in the annual surveys [3] conducted during November 2024 in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Galway and Limerick, which show that sustainable travel is on the rise.
Within the Dublin region, the annual Dublin canal cordon count identified that 74.1% of inbound trips were made by sustainable transport modes, the highest percentage level since this survey was commenced in 1980.
In Galway, 43% of journeys across the city centre cordon were made by bus, rail, walking and cycling, representing an increase of 25% on 2023 figures for bus usage and 6% on rail journeys.
In Cork, while bus and rail movements showed year on year increases, overall movement across the cordon by sustainable modes was 23%, compared to 75% of car use. Separately, Waterford recorded a 38% increase in bus passengers across the city centre cordon compared to 2023, with inbound trips by sustainable modes across the city cordon totalling 16%.
In Limerick, positive increases, albeit small, in each of the sustainable modes were recorded when compared with 2023, with a total of 27% of people travelling inbound towards the city using sustainable modes of travel. These highlight outcomes moving in the right direction but there is more work to do in all places to meet the relevant targets.
Exceptional growth of public transport
Public transport use continues to grow at exceptional levels. Overall, passenger numbers on contracted bus and rail services in 2024 were 32 million higher compared to 2023, an increase of 10.6%. Passenger numbers increased on all service types during 2024, from rural transport to the urban rail services, with the largest increases evident across the bus network in Dublin. Unlike many other international jurisdictions, overall public transport passenger numbers in Ireland now significantly exceed the 2019 pre-pandemic levels, with 344 million passengers carried on State provided services in 2024 compared to 295 million in 2019.
Capital projects to increase capacity and improved customer experience
This increase has been supported by a number of capital projects which have increased capacity for services and provided improved customer experience to facilitate behavioural change as greater choice is provided. The 2024 budget provided an increase in capital expenditure from €892.547m in the previous year to €992.860m.
Examples within the rail programme include the first of the new carriages for the Dart fleet being delivered in November 2024 for testing and commissioning, completion of Limerick Colbert Station transport interchange, improvements on the Cork to Dublin Line with the opening of Kishoge Station enhancing passenger services on the Portlaoise to Heuston Commuter route and the implementation of enhanced timetables for Cork commuter rail services.
On the Bus network there have been a number of new services launched as part of BusConnects in Dublin in addition to 45 new or enhanced bus routes introduced as part of the Connecting Ireland programme, including new services on Saturdays and Sundays. This is complimented by provision of new bus shelters, stops and passenger information as well enhancements to bus depots including electrification with the first double deck electric buses operating in Limerick.
Over 1,000 active travel projects
The 2024 funding covered over 1,000 active travel projects providing new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure across the country. These projects contribute to reaching the Government’s target of delivering 1,000 km of new and improved walking and cycling infrastructure across the country by the end of 2025, with 938km achieved by the end of 2024, leading to an increase in active travel trips and improving road safety for more vulnerable road users including outside many schools.
Public Service Obligation (PSO) rail, bus and tram services
€701.1m of Exchequer funding was provided for Public Service Obligation (PSO) rail, bus and tram services, which generated an additional €510.721m of income from fares and other revenue sources such as advertising. This funding has enabled increases in service provision and supported the driving up of patronage across all modes.
Operational costs have risen from €982.086 million to €1,163.414 million. This increase is attributable to inflationary pressures on fuel and labour plus the growth in service provision, as well as the decision to maintain low fares in support of the cost of living and other concessionary fare commitments implemented throughout 2024. These factors should be considered when evaluating the overall financial outcome.
Summary
In summary, the funding provided and managed by the NTA has facilitated the target to increase more journeys through public transport and active travel and has prepared the way for future years’ investments, which have started to come to fruition in 2025 into 2026 to meet the various national obligations around the economy, climate and social wellbeing. “