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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are more than 1 million customers with direct eligibility. This increases to 1.75 million customers when spouses and companions are included. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million. Since 2017, people moving from certain long-term disability schemes are able to retain their free travel entitlement for a further period of five years, provided they previously had an entitlement to free travel. Customers moving from the blind pension to employment do not lose their entitlement to a free travel pass and, as such, retain the pass on an ongoing basis.

As part of budget 2024, I was particularly pleased to announce the expansion of my Department’s free travel pass to support people medically certified as unable to drive. There will be no requirement that a person must be in receipt of a social welfare payment to qualify for a free travel pass on these medical grounds, provided the other qualifying criteria are met. The measure could benefit people who return to work and who would otherwise lose their free travel entitlement after five years. If they are deemed medically unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer, they may qualify for the medical grounds free travel pass. The implementation date for the measure is July 2024. This will allow my Department to develop a new administrative process, engage with outside agencies and transport providers and to make the necessary IT updates. I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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