Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will ensure that pass holders and all persons eligible for free travel shall continue to receive free travel entitlement on all Expressway routes both now and into the future and that such entitlement shall be respected by those overseeing the routes, irrespective of route operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2331/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The free travel scheme provides free travel for those with eligibility on the main public and private transport services which includes road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann, Iarnród Éireann, Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 873,000 customers with direct eligibility with an annual allocation of €80 million.

I am aware that the free travel pass is a valuable support for older people and people with disabilities, and that it has a significant role in promoting social inclusion and preventing their isolation. I have no plans to make any changes to the free travel scheme at this time and I am committed to its full retention. In order to maintain service at existing levels funding to the free travel scheme was increased by €3 million in budget 2016.

In the case of the operators of expressway routes changing, as outlined above already, almost 80 private transport operators accept the free travel pass and any new private operators can apply to be accepted into the scheme.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.