Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the impact the Government’s privatisation of public transport services will have on the free travels scheme; if she will carry out an assessment of this policy change on the free travel scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22345/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The current free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 90 private transport operators. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys to and from Northern Ireland and within Northern Ireland for those aged 66 years and over. There are currently approx. 828,000 customers with direct eligibility with an annual allocation of €77 million.

While the privatisation of public transport services is a matter for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, it is my understanding that any tendering process will include a requirement for successful bidders to accept the free travel pass.

As regards routes with PSO funding, including routes previously operated by CIÉ, it is my intention that private operators will continue to be able to apply to participate in the free travel scheme.