Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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329. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid in subventions from his Department to Bus Éireann for the past five years to date in 2017, by scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11857/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department pays the CIE Group centrally in respect of transport services provided nationwide for the free travel scheme by the Group and the apportionment of payment between the three constituent companies, Bus Eireann, Bus Atha Cliath and Iarnród Eireann is a matter for the CIE Group to determine. In this context my Department has had no role to date in determining the amount specifically directed to Bus Éireann.

The following are details of payments to the CIE Group in respect of the free travel scheme.

To date in 2017, my Department has made payments totalling €10.1million to CIE for free travel.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.