Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2024 is €104 million. The scheme is not intended to provide transport services or to compensate for a lack of transport in rural areas.

Any decision to expand the Free Travel scheme in the manner outlined by the Deputy would radically change the nature of the scheme and result in additional funding requirements and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations and scheme policy.

My Department provides an annual funding contribution of €1.5 million towards the Transport for Ireland Local Links Programme, which is administered by the National Transport Authority. The Transport for Ireland Local Link bus services connect communities throughout rural Ireland as part of the Transport for Ireland Local Public Transport Network. They form a network of affordable bus services for everyone who wants to travel to or from local towns and villages.

Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an essential need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and include help towards recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary.

A travel supplement may also be paid where a person has a recurring travel expense (for example, where a person has ongoing travel costs for hospital visits).

Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.