Next year will be an important milestone for the Irish Coast Guard as it transitions to a new Aviation Services Contract. An additional allocation of over €70 million, bringing the total Coast Guard budget to €165m, will support this change and allow the organisation to continue to operate a world-class emergency response service and promote and protect Ireland’s economic interests as an island nation.

“This budget signals the progression of public transport initiatives from planning into construction and operation, with Core Bus Corridors in Dublin anticipated to commence build work from next year, joining other important projects already under construction such as Cork Area Commuter Rail.

“It is also important to look back at how far we have come. In 2020, when this Government took office, the transport budget for that year was €3 billion. For budget 2025 it will stand at €3.9 billion. The capital element of the budget has increased over the life of this Government by almost €1 billion. That is an extra €1 billion being spent on improving our transport system to support economic prosperity, well-being and social equity, and environmental sustainability.

“We have seen transport change hugely over the lifetime of this Government. It has been a priority for me and for my colleagues to expand our public transport service and to ensure that the cost of transport is affordable and fair for all. I am delighted to announce that Budget 2025 provides funding for the expansion of free child fares on Public Service Obligation services to include those aged 5-8 years. Our passenger numbers continue to grow and whenever we introduce a new service, we see that people, and particularly young people, are flocking to it. While we still have work to do, I think it will be very difficult to reverse the positive change in modal shift away from private cars that we have seen across the country in recent years, and the growing demand for a reliable public transport network that we’re seeing every day.

“The development of our ports is key to our future competitiveness, so I am pleased to announce today that a financing agreement has been reached between the Port of Cork and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund to extend the Port’s quay-side berth at Ringaskiddy. The agreement, a €99 million financing package, will allow the Port of Cork to develop multi-purpose port infrastructure capable of meeting the requirements of the offshore renewable energy sector. The agreement marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to deliver a greener, more sustainable future.”

“Having a road safety framework that is fit for purpose is, of course, front and centre in all of our minds. To that end, this year’s Budget allocations again focus on the most important role of Government, which is keeping the public safe.

“The funding earmarked in Budget 2025 for the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will help ensure the safety of our roads system for all those who use it. The RSA will this year dedicate funding of €18 million to promote safety awareness and education among all road users. I have been working hard to ensure that road safety is put on a firm footing since I became Minister, and proposals will be brought to Government shortly to present the conclusions of the root-and-branch independent review of the arrangements in place.

“As a commuter as well as Minister of State, I welcome that construction will start on the first of the Core Bus Corridors as part of BusConnects Dublin next year. This marks a major milestone in the delivery of our major capital projects, and will help to provide a more efficient and reliable bus service, supporting people in making the shift from private car travel to public transport, in line with our decarbonisation goals.

“I’m eager to see construction start soon on DART+ West and DART+ South West and also eager to start planning now for extending those projects as set out in the GDA Transport Strategy.

“In terms of our broader connectivity, €17 million has been earmarked for funding our regional airports to support connectivity and enhance balanced regional development, given that 85% of flights still fly out of Dublin.

“Meanwhile, the staff and volunteers of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) will continue to be able to serve the Irish public in their time of most need with their Budget 2025 allocation. Their role in saving lives at sea is one that I salute and am eager to fully support.

“Next year will mark a significant milestone for the Department as it completes the transition to a new Aviation Service contract for the Irish Coast Guard. The new service contract, which was awarded to Bristow Ireland Limited, will enable the Irish Coast Guard to continue to provide world-class maritime and inland search and rescue services, environmental monitoring, helicopter emergency medical and air ambulance services. For the first time, the Coast Guard aviation service will also include a fixed-wing aircraft element, which will provide valuable support across a range of Coast Guard roles. The phased introduction of the new aviation service for the Coast Guard will be completed in mid-2025.

“I have always believed that the most important role of Government is keeping our people safe and the roads, maritime and aviation measures in this Budget fully support that objective.”

Budget 2025

Here’s what Budget 2025 will enable:

The Department of Transport budget funds all ‘Public Service Obligation’ (PSO) public transport services. These are services that support social cohesion and connection, and would not otherwise be offered by private operators.

• Extension of free child fares on PSO Services to include those aged 5- to 8-years old
• Continuing the Young Adult Card/Student Leap Card, which provide a 50% fare discount to 19- to 25-year olds to eligible users on PSO and participating commercial services
• Expanding the BusConnects, Connecting Ireland and Town Services programmes

Supporting Road Road Users and Road Safety

• Additional funding for maintaining the upkeep and repair of national, regional and local roads
• Funding local authorities with grants for targeted works such as bridge repair, road resealing and strengthening, climate adaptation and safety measures, and drainage
• Continuing major road projects including the M50 Traffic Control and Management upgrade in Dublin, N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge works in Roscommon, and N21/69 Limerick to Foynes works in Limerick
• Continuing, subject to required approvals, strategic improvement schemes including the R494 upgrade scheme in Clare, Tralee Northern Relief Road in Kerry and Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor road in Clare and Limerick
• Funding road safety agencies including the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS), which analyses blood, breath or urine samples provided by those suspected of driving while intoxicated
• Maintaining the National Vehicle and Driver File to support collection of motor tax, and increasing accessibility by providing more motor services online
• Supporting the use of EVs, particularly for business, with announcement of various tax measures by the Minister for Finance

Changing the focus of the Road Safety Authority

• Continuing to make road safety a high priority across government, this budget takes the first steps in changing the focus of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in light of interim review findings that it has too broad a span of activities, which require different types of expertise
• In the meantime, to ensure the RSA’s vital work of road safety messaging is effective and sufficiently resourced, €18m of funding will be dedicated for awareness, education and promotional campaigns which will be closely overseen by the Department

Improving and Developing Rail and Bus Networks

• Continuing to advance the Metrolink programme
• Developing the DART+ programme, including arrival of the new DART fleet
• Continuing construction on train stations including Galway Ceannt
• Protecting and renewing the existing heavy rail network
• Continuing the first phase of the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme
• Investing in electric and hybrid-electric buses, and in charging infrastructure at depots
• Constructing the first of the new Core Bus Corridors in Dublin

Supporting Walking, Cycling and Scooting

• Promoting active travel with €360 million for walking and cycling infrastructure projects throughout the country, including new Greenway sections and an expansion of the Safe Routes to School Programme to introduce Round 3 schools

Sustaining Regional Aviation

• Continuing capital investment and operational support for safety, security and sustainability measures to Ireland West, Kerry and Donegal regional airports
• Financial support for twice daily PSO air services from Donegal to Dublin

Delivering and Modernising Coast Guard Services

• Providing for delivery of the Coast Guard service, including upgrading response boat and vehicle fleet, communication and alert infrastructure, decision support systems, and building infrastructure
• Completing the transition to a new Search and Rescue (SAR) contract, operating six helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft that will assist in SAR missions and monitoring of the marine environment
• Supporting maritime casualty response and pollution prevention through training and exercise programme

Strengthening Maritime and the Marine

• Supporting marine safety functions including casualty investigation and pollution prevention