John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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84. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on plans to introduce pay related parents benefit; for an estimated cost for this extension if it was modelled on the same payment rates which apply to jobseekers pay related benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26213/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to ‘Introduce Pay-Related Parents Benefit and explore other payments where a similar model could be applied.’ Work is ongoing within my Department to examine potential models for a Pay-Related Parent’s Benefit.

At this stage, an estimate of costings is not available. While payment rates are an important consideration, they represent only one of several parameters that would influence the overall cost of the scheme.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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85. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection for an update on the roll out of the companion pass to all over 70s from September 2025; when his Department will be engaging with over 70s on how they can obtain the pass; if the pass will be issued automatically to persons over 70; if he will provide an estimate on the number of people by county who will benefit from this extension of the companion pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26214/25]

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.

As part of Budget 2025, the government announced that from September 2025, all those aged 70 years or over in receipt of Free Travel will have an entitlement to receive a Free Travel Companion Public Services Card (PSC). This means those aged 70 or over with an entitlement to Free Travel can have another person, aged 16 or older, including their spouse or partner, travel with them for free on all transport services provided as part of the Free Travel scheme.

Some of those aged over 70 already hold an entitlement to the Free Travel Companion pass. From the beginning of March 2025, my officials started writing to all other eligible customers to inform them of their entitlement to the Free Travel Companion pass from September 2025 and this process is ongoing.

For those whose current Free Travel PSC has already expired, to avail of their Free Travel Companion entitlement, they are being advised that they need to renew their PSC either online or in person at their local Intreo Centre.

For those whose current Free Travel PSC has not expired, they will receive a new Free Travel Companion PSC by post in advance of September.

Records held by the Department estimate that 482,612 customers currently receiving Free Travel will benefit from the extension.

Breakdown of this number by county.