Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1254.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was charged for a transport service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31381/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under age 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIé public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and a range of transport services offered by private transport operators countrywide.

Customers wishing to avail of Free Travel should not have to pre-book services with any operator participating in the Free Travel Scheme. They can continue to present on their preferred day of travel and avail of Free Travel using their Free Travel Public Services Card. Free Travel customers who have not pre-booked should be treated exactly the same as any other customer who has not pre-booked and is paying a fare on the day.

My officials have contacted the transport operator and I understand that the issue highlighted by the person concerned is being addressed. I would like to thank the person concerned for bringing this issue to the attention of my officials.

Under the Free Travel scheme, there is no requirement or impediment for transport operators to provide additional services such as a seat booking service. Some travel operators have introduced online booking services for customers who wish to guarantee their seat on a particular service. This is entirely a matter for the transport operator concerned.

It is open to any Free Travel customer who wants to be guaranteed a seat on a particular service to book their seat in advance, where a pre-booking facility exists. My Department has no control over the fee a transport company may charge for their seat booking facility.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.