Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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90. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if his attention has been drawn to a report which proposes a €50 annual charge on the free travel pass; if he will give a commitment that no such charge will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2723/17]

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 of the report to which the Deputy refers. In 2012, my Department along with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, set up an interdepartmental working group to review the free travel scheme. The purpose of the review was to examine and report on the current operation and future development of the free travel scheme.

The review was carried out at a time of fiscal constraint, to examine and report on the operation and future development of the Free Travel scheme. The review analysed the Free Travel scheme in terms of sustainability, fairness and effectiveness. The options and recommendations outlined in the review were therefore to be considered as providing a range of choices in the context of the sustainability of the scheme in the medium to long term. Economic circumstances have changed significantly since those which prevailed when the review was conducted.

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 or introduce any surcharge to the free travel scheme at this time and I am committed to its full retention.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.