Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of free travel passes. People, predominantly pensioners, who would not have any reason to believe there may be a change of status as regards free travel are being challenged as they board buses because their passes have expired. These are conscientious people who find themselves in awkward and embarrassing situations because their pass has expired. The Department of Social Protection has the details of the free travel passes issued to people. There is no reason for not extending travel passes or issuing new cards in advance. People have no reason to expect to lose their free travel passes. They typically realise there is a problem when they board a bus. While there is an expiry date on these cards, people do not expect problems. Can replacement cards be issued in advance of the expiry date?

See this speech in context