Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept the amendment. The free travel scheme permits travel on most CIE public transport services, Luas and a range of services offered by a large number of private operators. Some 19 private transport operators are involved in the scheme, providing services to free travel pass-holders. It is open to private transport operators to apply to the Department for inclusion in the scheme. All applications are considered providing the operator holds a valid passenger licence from the Department of Transport.

The Department provides funding through the rural transport scheme in recognition of the carriage of free travel pass-holders. Funding of €1.5 million was provided for the programme in 2007, with a similar amount provided for in 2008. The scheme, managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Transport, encourages innovative community-based initiatives to provide transport services in rural areas to address social exclusion by lack of access to transport. It is acknowledged free travel pass-holders benefit from the programme, particularly those who had no access to public transport prior to the establishment of the scheme. The free travel scheme benefits 64,000 customers at the cost of €64 million per year.