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The dormant cards have been inactive for a period of five years.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) sent the figures to Sinn Féin. The party’s Transport Spokesperson, TD Louis O’Hara, said there is an “extraordinary level” of unused credit.

He added that the issue highlights the need for our public transport payment systems to be reformed, including an acceleration of the program to install contactless payments, which will effectively replace leap cards.

O’Hara said that, as the National Transport Authority has confirmed, contactless payment systems aren’t on track to be operational until 2028, meaning even more unused Leap Card credit will have accrued by then.

“In 2019, the level of unused credit was over €600,000. However, as of the end of 2025, this figure has ballooned to €8.6 million,” O’Hara added.

People can claim back credit on a dormant, inactive, or expired leap card by registering it online and requesting a refund through their online account, but time limits apply.

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