It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 746 and 747 together.
The free travel scheme is available to all people resident in Ireland, irrespective of nationality, aged 66 years or over, and also to certain people with disabilities under that age who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The scheme provides free travel, primarily at off-peak periods, to eligible people on the main public and private transport services. At the end of December 1998, free travel passes had been issued to over 530,000 people at an estimated annual cost of over £32 million.