Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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697. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the free travel scheme can be extended to persons with cancer who, due to their condition and treatment, may be able to drive some days and not others, or for an undetermined time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62720/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Free Travel Scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under age 66 on certain qualified payments, who are living legally and permanently in the State. The scheme permits those who are eligible to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, Local Link, LUAS and services provided by over 70 private transport operators.

As part of Budget 2024, a significant expansion to the Free Travel eligibility criteria was announced. Access to the Free Travel Pass was expanded to support people who are medically certified as unable to drive for a period of 12 months or longer. There is no requirement that a person must be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment in order to qualify for a Free Travel Pass on these medical grounds, provided the other qualifying criteria are met.

Any decision to expand the medical free travel scheme to include people with cancer who are unable to drive for periods shorter than 12 months would require additional funding for the free travel scheme and would have to be considered in the context of overall scheme policy and budgetary negotiations.

I fully understand the financial challenges associated with such a diagnosis and it is important to note that Additional Needs Payments are available through my Department for people who have essential expenses, which they cannot meet from their own resources.

These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and include help towards recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.

Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications for Additional Needs Payments can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.