Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is absolutely right that the free travel scheme is hugely important to people in many communities. I see it often in Cootehill on a Friday morning when the Local Link bus service brings people into the town to do their shopping and meet up with friends. Unfortunately, that type of activity is somewhat changed in the Covid environment.

The extent and adequacy of public transport service provision, both urban and rural, fall under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I will be glad to bring the Deputy's concerns regarding rural transport to the Minister's attention. Like Deputy Smith, I am very much aware of instances where people cannot use their free travel pass on services run by private operators which pass by their own home.

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