Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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210. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his engagement on the proposed plans for free inter-rail across the EU for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4861/19]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The proposal for free InterRail across the EU referred to by the Deputy is a European Commission initiative which was launched following a proposal from the European Parliament. I understand that just over 14,500 free travel passes have been allocated to 18-year-olds from across the European Union for travel in 2019.

The passes were allocated by means of an online competition and the successful applicants will be able to travel up to a maximum of 30 days and visit up to four different country destinations between April and October of this year.

The Commission is planning to launch the next application round in summer 2019. Specific dates and further information will be announced on the European Youth Portal in due course.