Written answers
Wednesday, 8 May 2024
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Benefits
Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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299. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a privately run service (details supplied) is obligated to recognise the State travel pass for older people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20803/24]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2024 is €104 million.
The free travel scheme was introduced to promote social inclusion and prevent the isolation of elderly and disabled people by taking advantage of free space on public transport services. The scheme permits free travel on the services provided by the operators who accept the free travel pass.
While it is open to private transport operators to apply to participate in the free travel scheme, there is no obligation on them to do so. It is up to each private transport operator to decide if they wish to participate in the Free Travel Scheme and also what routes they will accept the free travel pass on.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
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