Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if persons with epilepsy, who are able to show that they would be refused a driving licence had they applied for one will be granted an entitlement to free travel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20237/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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6153The free travel scheme provides for free travel for eligible persons on qualifying public transport services. Persons resident in Ireland who are over 66 and persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments (including disability allowance, invalidity pension and carer's allowance) are eligible for the scheme. While medical evidence will be required to determine eligibility for these schemes, it does not entitle anyone to free travel. It is the fact of being in receipt of a qualifying payment rather than the fact of having a disability that gives rise to the entitlement. Should a person with epilepsy qualify for invalidity pension or disability allowance (depending on their level of disability as a result of the epilepsy) they would be entitled to free travel.