Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We need to be very clear here that all of those who are eligible and have met the criteria are being provided for by Bus Éireann. All those who have met the criteria and have satisfied the eligibility that is required have been provided for in terms of transport. Where there are ongoing issues for a few, they are guaranteed that they will be provided for. Some 124,000 are in receipt of places on the bus this year, free of charge, as opposed to this time last year when there were 103,000.

The issue that the Senator and others have raised is an issue around those who are not eligible and do not meet the criteria. They are what we call concessionaries. The concessionaries receive places on the bus when the eligibles have been catered for and if there is additional capacity.

This year, and again this is something that has been lost in the debate, there is an increase of one third of those who have received concessionary places on the bus. I am very conscious that there are those who did not meet the criteria and who had previously received concessionary tickets and who have not received them this year.

I have made it clear that, in the context of those people, the obligation to satisfy those who meet the criteria has been achieved but I am in discussion with the Minister, Deputy McGrath, to see if there is scope to meet the needs of those who received concessionary tickets in the past, and where there is capacity, to satisfy former ticket holders. I want to be clear that those who reached eligibility have been and are being provided for on an ongoing basis.