Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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401. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a public service card was incorrectly issued (details supplied). [31422/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The original Free Travel card issued in this case also allowed the spouse of the person concerned to free travel when accompanying the person concerned. When a replacement card was being ordered in August 2021, it was established from the person concerned that the appropriate civil status in this case is 'separated'. The appropriate entitlement for a person who is separated is personal Free Travel only, and a personal Free Travel card issued to the person concerned on 6th August 2021. This card was revoked on 8th April 2022, as it was lost or damaged, and a replacement personal Free Travel card was issued to the person concerned.

There is no record of the person concerned having applied for a Free Travel Companion card. It is open to the person concerned, if considered unable to travel alone, to apply for a Free Travel Companion card. If approved for a Free Travel Companion card, this allows any one person, aged 16 years or over, to accompany the cardholder free of charge. The Under 70 Companion Free Travel application form is available to download on gov.ie, or can be picked up at any Intreo Centre or Post Office.

On receipt of a completed application form, the entitlement of the person concerned to a Companion Free Travel card will be examined.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.