Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions, if any, his Department has had with the Department of Social Protection regarding a review of the operation of the free travel scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22993/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The question relates to the review of the operation of the Department of Social Protection's free travel scheme. With regard to the review, an Inter Departmental Working Group was established  last year to carry out a review of the operation of the current Free Travel Scheme.  The purpose of this review is to examine and report on the current operation and future development of the Free Travel scheme. The Group, chaired by the Department of Social Protection as lead Department, also includes representatives from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the National Transport Authority (NTA).  The Group has had three meetings and I understand that the work of the Group is expected to conclude by mid-2013.

I note that Deputy Dooley's party proposed a reduction of €5million or 7% to this scheme in 2013. This proposal was not taken up, and there was no reduction to this scheme in 2013.