George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
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909. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the extension of a travel companion under the free travel scheme entitlement for recipients of a State pension is being confined to spouses and civil partners; his views on whether this discriminates against single and widowed persons; if he plans to review this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29656/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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As part of Budget 2025, a Free Travel Companion Pass will be assigned to all those aged over 70 from September 2025. Therefore, a Free Travel companion pass will also be assigned to those who are single and aged over 70.

The Free Travel Companion Pass scheme enables a person 16 years of age or over to accompany the pass holder free of charge. There is no requirement that the person accompanying the companion pass holder must be a spouse or civil partner.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.