Transport funding gives free travel to under-nines 

He also warned that the country would “tip over into the east coast” if sufficient investment wasn’t given into transport in other cities — such as Kent station in Cork.

The Department of Transport was allocated €3.9bn in Budget 2025, including over €2.9bn in capital funding. This is an increase of €480m on its 2024 allocation.

In terms of transport in Budget 2025, the Government announced:

• “Enhanced capacity” on existing public transport routes;
• More than €360m in cycling and walking infrastructure;
• The continuation of “temporary measures” through to the end of 2025, such as the 90-minute fare on public transport in Dublin and the young adult card for 19 to 25-year-olds;
• Free public transport for children under nine;
• €1.36bn for national and local road networks and road safety measures.

The transport funding also includes provision for a “new and modern” coastguard search and rescue contract.

As part of a €600m investment in the country’s heavy rail network, the Cork area commuter rail programme will continue to be supported via the funding.

Speaking on what will be his last budget as transport minister, Mr Ryan said: “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.

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.”

Reflecting the worrying trends regarding fatalities on Irish roads, there will be dedicated funding of €18m for the Road Safety Authority’s awareness, education and promotional campaigns.

Junior transport minister James Lawless said: “Proposals will be brought to Government shortly to present the conclusions of the root-and-branch independent review of the arrangements in place.”

Separately, a document published by the Department of Finance on the plans to spend the €14bn Apple tax money set out four “pillars” in which the money will be invested, of which transport is one.