John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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630. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of children who would benefit from extending the free travel pass to families in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38985/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on the Free Travel scheme in 2025 is €107.6 million.

The Programme for Government 2025 has committed to examining extending the Free Travel scheme to include children benefitting from the Domiciliary Care Allowance.

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a non means tested payment payable at €360 a month per child. In addition, all recipients of Domiciliary Care Allowance qualify for the Carer's Support Grant in June of each year. The current rate is €2,000 per year.

If the Free Travel scheme was extended to include children benefitting from the Domiciliary Care Allowance, it is estimated that up to 65,000 children would benefit. The extension of Free Travel to this cohort would be subject to the overall budgetary context and other commitments.

It is important to note that all children under five already have free travel on public transport and children under 16 benefit from significantly reduced rates. It is also important to remember that it is the parent or guardian who receives Domiciliary Care Allowance - it is not paid directly to the child.