Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The issue of free travel has been raised several times. It was raised again last week. For the record, the committee will hear from representatives from the Department of Social Protection in some weeks to discuss matters pertaining to free travel.

I am pleased to hear the clarification today. It is important to put people at ease and that they are reassured that there is no plan to curtail the free travel scheme. The scheme is important to a large number of people. It is their only lifeline, their only way of getting from A to B. It is also important to acknowledge that for some people free travel is not beneficial. These people are altogether outside the limits of public transport. They do not travel outside their local communities and those communities are not served well. This needs to be recognised. I have long held the belief that these people should have the option of some form of monetary provision towards private transport. Again, that is a matter for the Department of Social Protection because that Department administers the scheme – I appreciate that.

I am of the view that there is almost a laissez-faireapproach on the part of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of the free transport scheme in the sense that it is administered by the Department of Social Protection. However, abuse of the scheme impacts directly on transport providers. I have heard numerous anecdotes regarding abuses of the system, including stories relating to the companion pass system and the number of old passes still in circulation. What is the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport doing to clamp down on abuse? The Department of Social Protection administers the scheme. Subsequently, however, when abuse takes place the losses are incurred by the transport providers. There is serious concern in the public domain that this system is being abused, and that some people who really should not be benefiting from the scheme are doing so. What is happening on that front?