Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I have repeatedly raised this issue over recent months and I am pleased to have the opportunity to raise it today. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys, will relay my concerns to his colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Burton. The Lough Swilly bus company provided a service from Buncrana to Derry city, including all the stops along the way. The service was very important to the elderly and disabled people who use the route. Given that the Lough Swilly bus company has gone into receivership, a new company, McGonagle bus service of Buncrana, has taken over the route. Under the rules around the free travel scheme, however, it has not been able to avail of financial assistance that would enable it to provide a free bus service to the elderly and disabled. It is unfair. In recent days I have learned that Ms Marian Harkin, MEP, has pursued the issue at European level and the European Commission has ruled that the Government cannot do what it is doing.

If the Minister of State has not received a response from his departmental officials, I ask him to have the matter checked out. My understanding is that the European Commission has ruled against Ireland, saying that it cannot deny entry to the scheme. That would include McGonagle's bus services, so hopefully that will resolve the issue.

I am disappointed, however, because elderly and disabled people along the route have been put to considerable economic hardship by having to pay for a service that is free for every other elderly or disabled person across this State. It is not a case of freezing a service, because the Minister of State has taken the service away without reinstating it. If the service was frozen, he would have ensured that the new company, which is on exactly the same route that was always historically provided, would be provided with the financial assistance to cater for elderly and disabled passengers.

I and other public representatives have repeatedly raised this matter. The Minister of State may say that a review is under way and that we must await the outcome of that review before allowing new participants onto the scheme. In this case, however, a service has been withdrawn from that community rather than being frozen. Citizens who should have a right to a free bus service in order to interact socially with family and friends - something that every other senior citizen across the State has - are being denied their rights. Disabled people, as well as families with relatives in respite care, and those with loved ones studying in Derry or availing of services in other locations along the route are being denied that right. That is how serious this matter is. It is not a frivolous or trivial matter.

I am interested in this confirmation from Marian Harkin, MEP, who raised the issue concerning a company in County Cavan called Leydon's Coaches. She challenged the issue under EU competition law and apparently the European Commission has overturned it. I appreciate that the Minister of State may not have had a briefing on that, as he had no advance warning. Nonetheless, will be please look into the issue and ensure that it is resolved? Even if that information about the European Commission's ruling is not 100% accurate - and I am relying on Marian Harkin's guidance in this - the issue has to be resolved. I therefore ask the Minister of State to reinstate the service.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this topical issue. Although I do not have the information on the European decision that he has outlined, I would like to put this matter in context. The free travel scheme is currently available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over, to carers and to customers under 66 who are in receipt of certain disability-type payments. The scheme permits customers to travel free on most CIE public transport services, LUAS and a range of services offered by approximately 80 private operators in various parts of the country. Customers of the scheme over 66 who are married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership receive a pass that allows their partners to travel with them for free. Certain customers can get a companion pass which allows any person over the age of 16 to accompany them for free.

Free travel is also available on cross-Border journeys to and from Northern Ireland. The all-Ireland free travel scheme allows a free travel pass holder, aged 66 and older, to travel free of charge on all bus and rail services within Northern Ireland using a Senior SmartPass card. Similarly, Northern Ireland Senior SmartPass card holders are entitled to travel for free in the Republic using their existing cards.

In 2001 there were 608,000 customers in receipt of the scheme, while today there are more than 800,000. This represents an increase of more than 30%. In 2001, the scheme cost approximately €46 million per year. In 2014, it will cost €77 million, which is an increase of 65%.

As the Deputy will be aware, funding for the free travel scheme was capped by the previous Government in the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014. To implement this cap on funding during a time in which passenger numbers have been increasing each year, the Department has had to impose a freeze on the amounts paid to companies and a complete restriction on the admittance of new companies or routes to the scheme. This has included new companies taking over routes from other companies.

The Government made clear in its Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 that it is committed to full retention of the free travel scheme. The Government appreciates the importance of the scheme to customers, particularly pensioners, and is very much aware of the implications for travel pass holders in those areas where services have been withdrawn. Officials in the Department have been asked to examine ways in which companies could be admitted to the free travel scheme - initially where they are taking over routes for which free travel funding was previously available, including in Donegal - with a view to free travel services recommencing as soon as possible. I understand that free travel has been available on the particular route mentioned by the Deputy since 17 November 2014. I hope that will resolve the issue.

I will try to obtain the information sought by the Deputy concerning the European ruling. I have not had a briefing on it, but as soon as I get that information I will send it on to the Deputy.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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This topical issue was originally to have been taken last Thursday. Will the Minister of State confirm that he understands the free travel facility has been restored as of yesterday? If that is the case, and it is available again, then that is very welcome. I will be examining this matter in the constituency, but I ask the Minister of State to consider the European Commission's ruling and its implications for services across the State. There might be a lesson in that for the Government.

What level of co-operation exists between the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport concerning transport routes in County Donegal that were operating in recent years but are no longer in operation? What assistance can the Minister of State provide to reinstate such services, particularly for elderly people in rural areas? I raised this topical issue because it concerns an existing service which is economically viable for the operator. Other routes in more rural areas of County Donegal, however, have been lost. What can be done about them?

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Deputy for his comments, and I compliment the officials who negotiated the return of this route. I take on board the Deputy's views on how important that route is for people living in isolated areas.

It is worth recalling that there has been a significant increase in the numbers using such services. In 2001, more than 600,000 people were availing of the free transport scheme, but more than 800,000 are using it currently. This year, it will cost taxpayers €77 million to support the scheme. It is a worthwhile scheme and the commitment to maintain it is a priority for the Government. I do not have the information the Deputy requested on routes that have been discontinued in recent years. However, it is the Government's intention to try, where practicable, to keep existing routes running. The subvention will be maintained and funding is committed to it within this budget.

I will revert to the Deputy on the European Commission ruling to which the Deputy referred in the context of information from Marian Harkin, MEP. As soon as I get that information I will forward it to the Deputy.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Is the Minister of State taking the next item?

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Is that the issue raised by Deputy Ciara Conway?

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I understand that my colleague Deputy Ciara Conway has agreed to defer discussion of her issue until Tuesday, 25 November 2014. On that date, I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who is the Minister responsible, will take the debate.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed?

Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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Agreed.