Debate contribution: yLink Smart Cards
Debate contribution by Ms Liz Kimmins on .
- MLA
- Ms Liz Kimmins
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 13 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- yLink Smart Cards
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5789851
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thought that you were going to say that we were moving on to topical questions.
I understand how important the yLink scheme is for young people, especially those accessing education, employment and training. Translink's equality impact assessment (EQIA) consultation on the proposed change has now closed, and it is considering the responses. My Department has engaged closely with Translink throughout that process, and my position remains that public transport should be affordable and accessible, particularly given the ongoing cost-of-living pressures. I froze fares for two years in a row because I believe that public transport should be accessible to and affordable for all. It is important to say that no decisions have been taken in respect of Translink’s consultation on the yLink concession or on the other proposals that Translink has put forward. As the Member will be aware, we currently have no agreed Executive Budget, and the Executive are united in our negotiations with the British Treasury for a fairer funding settlement. One of the reasons for that is that these are the types of cuts that could come from the Budget settlement that is being offered to us. I expect Translink to give full consideration to the consultation responses. Last week, I met with trade union representatives to discuss that issue and the other proposals. I know that there is deep concern about what the implementation of those cuts would mean. I share those concerns, and I will continue to work with Translink to ensure that we do everything that we can to avoid their coming to pass.
261 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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