John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

311. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide details of the fees paid to private commercial operators in the past five years for provision of transport under the free travel scheme, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40023/24]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

312. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of private commercial operators paid by her Department for the operation of the free travel scheme that are paid under legacy arrangements, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40024/24]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

313. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to provide details of how much of the fees paid to private commercial operators in the past five years for the provision of transport under the free travel scheme is actually related to usage data; the amount that was paid on the basis of usage survey information, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40025/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 311, 312 and 313 together.

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 from age 17 to 66 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 free travel on most CIE public transport services, Luas, Local Link and some 74 private commercial operators. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys and, for those aged 66 or over, within Northern Ireland.

At the end of August 2024, there were 1.11 million eligible recipients; and the total number of eligible beneficiaries increases to over 1.83 million when spouse and companion passes are included.

Fees paid to Private Commercial Operators under the Free Travel Scheme 2019-2023

Since free travel passenger usage surveys re-commenced in Quarter 1 of 2023, following an interruption due to the Covid 19 pandemic, 12 private commercial operators have completed the survey process on their routes. A further 24 are currently in the survey process.

Surveys of the remaining private commercial operators, whose routes have not been surveyed since prior the COVID 19 pandemic, will be commenced as soon as the existing surveys are completed.

Currently, all private commercial operators in my Department's Free Travel scheme are paid on the basis of usage survey data.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.