Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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314. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department recognises the UK personal independence payment as a disability payment for the purpose of applying for the free travel pass as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40026/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public transport services provided by the State, and some private transport services, for those eligible under the scheme.

The Free Travel Scheme is available to all people aged over 66 living permanently in the State. Applicants who are under 66 must be in receipt of a qualifying payment in order to qualify for the scheme.

The qualifying payments for those aged under 66 are Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension (or a person who is blind or severely visually impaired and satisfies the medical conditions for a Blind Pension, or registered with Vision Ireland), Disability Allowance, Incapacity Supplement with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months, Carer’s Allowance, or an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or one with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement.

I regret, based on the information available, the person concerned does not qualify for the Free Travel scheme, as they are not in receipt of a qualifying payment.

There is no bilateral agreement in respect of the UK Personal Independence Payment and therefore it is not a qualifying payment for receipt of Free Travel.

As part of Budget 2024, Free Travel was extended to people who are medically certified as unfit to drive. From 29th of July 2024, the measure extends access to the Free Travel scheme to:

• People who have never been medically fit to drive due to a disability; and
• Drivers who have a license and have been deemed medically unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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315. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if parents of babies born in December 2024 will be eligible to receive the December double child benefit payment and the newborn additional one-off payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40051/24]