Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a company (details supplied) does not accept the free bus pass on the new route passing through Ballinteer, Dundrum, Rathfarnham and Templeogue, Dublin, based on the high number of old age pensioners serviced by these routes; and if the non-acceptance of the free bus pass will apply to any new routes operated by Dublin Bus. [14382/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The free travel scheme permits free travel on most CIE public transport services, Luas and a range of services offered by over 90 private operators in various parts of the country at an annual cost to the Exchequer of some €74 million in 2010.

The Department received an application under the free travel scheme for the new route referred to by the Deputy in March 2011. The Department is not in a position to consider applications for additional routes to the free travel scheme at this time as the scheme expenditure has been frozen at 2010 levels in line with the National Recovery Plan 2011-2014. Free travel customers can avail of alternative free transport services under the scheme to reach Dublin Airport.

The Department pays the CIE Group centrally in respect of transport services provided by the group for pensioners and other categories of eligible customers under the free travel scheme. The apportionment of payment between the three constituent companies, Bus Éireann, Bus Átha Cliath and Iarnród Éireann, is a matter for the CIE group to determine. Prior to the current freeze on expenditure under this scheme, the rate of payment to CIE was adjusted on the basis of changes in fares and numbers of eligible customers. The level of service provided by Dublin Bus does not feature in the method of calculation of payment.