Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Last year, a pilot programme was undertaken to study extending the free travel pass scheme to those holders who use the Ballyhack-Passage East car ferry. The pilot study was undertaken over four weeks of the year. Someone from the Department of Social Welfare was there to conduct the study and it was felt it was very worthwhile. Mostly elderly people are using this rural passage of 10 km. It reduces the distance to be travelled by road to University Hospital Waterford by 80 km from the Wexford side. Unfortunately, when this pilot programme was undertaken, it was only applicable to foot passengers. The cost to foot passengers is €2 return, while the cost for cars is €14 return. This is not feasible. I ask the Tánaiste to pass on to the Minister that we might review this scheme and extend it. It takes vulnerable people off our roads and, from a sustainability perspective, the service reduces car journeys by 80 km on a round trip from the same start point.

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