Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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1019. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of people who have availed of the free travel pass for those medically unfit to drive, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11509/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public transport services and on private transport services operating the Free Travel scheme. There are over 1.1 million customers with direct eligibility for Free Travel.

As part of Budget 2024, Free Travel was extended to people who are medically certified as unfit to drive.

From 29th July 2024, the measure extended 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.

Application forms are available to download from the Gov.ie website or, alternatively, from any Intreo Centre or by contacting the Free Travel Section by telephone at 0818 200 400 or by email at freetravelqueries@welfare.ie. Information in relation to Free Travel is also available on the Citizen's Information website.

At the end of February 2025, records indicate that there were 2,689 people availing of Free Travel for those medically unfit to drive. Please see below the breakdown of this number by county.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.