David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the measure and controls his Department and transport operators participating in the free travel scheme have in place to combat fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30687/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is conscious of the need to control and prevent abuse of the free travel scheme. In the first instance, any abuse of the scheme is a matter for direct control by the transport operators concerned. However the Department co-operates to the greatest extent possible with transport operators in dealing with fraud and abuse of the system.

Transport operators are continually updated on the different type of passes available to the different categories of customers. They are also advised to contact the Department in suspected cases of misuse.

While the current free travel pass does not display a photograph, holders in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford must obtain an ancillary photo pass from CIE in order to use the CIE Group services. This photo pass is obtained free of charge by eligible pass holders with the cost being met by the Department.

My Department is currently working towards the introduction of a more secure free travel card which will include photo identification and this is expected to be introduced during 2007. The introduction of this new card will include improvements to the registration process and make use of technology to provide better customer service and better security features, thereby considerably reducing the potential for fraud.