Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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106. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will extend free travel for car passengers to include the cost of a car on the Passage East ferry linking Passage East, County Waterford and Ballyhack, County Wexford; the reason the scheme is currently in place for foot passengers only given the ferry is a main access route for persons attending University Hospital Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27370/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Free Travel scheme is available to people over 66 years and to people in receipt of certain social welfare payments who are under 66 years. From 29th July 2024, Free Travel is also available to persons who are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months. Free Travel recipients must be permanently resident in the State.

The scheme permits travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Luas, Local Link and over 80 private bus and ferry transport operators. Free Travel is also available on cross border journeys, and within Northern Ireland, for those over age 66.

The car ferry, to which the Deputy refers, recently commenced accepting Free Travel for pedestrian passengers, effective from 1st June 2024. Travel by private car, including the cost of a car on a ferry crossing, is not covered under the Free Travel scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matters for the Deputy.