Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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358. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of persons under the age of 66 years currently entitled to the benefits of the free travel scheme, by age and category of applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28919/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Free Travel scheme is available to people over 66 years and to people under 66 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or satisfy other criteria, as outlined below.

For a person under 66 years of age, they may be entitled to Free Travel if they are living permanently in the State and they:

• are getting Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Carer's Allowance or Invalidity Pension
• are blind or visually impaired and meet the medical conditions for Blind Pension
• are aged over 17 and under 66, and medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months (effective from 29th July 2024)
• have been getting Incapacity Supplement with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months
• are a specified carer for a person getting Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance
• are getting a social security invalidity payment (or similar payment) from another EU Member State or from a country with which Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement for at least 12 months

• are a widow, widower or a surviving civil partner in receipt of a qualifying payment and are aged 60 or over (in these cases, the late spouse or civil partner must have held a Free Travel entitlement).

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.