I propose to take Questions Nos. 854 and 856 together.
The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years, or over, to all carers in receipt of carer's allowance and to carers of people in receipt of constant attendance or prescribed relative's allowance. It is also available to certain people with disabilities and people who are
in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
The scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as services provided by over 80 private transport operators. The vast majority of private contractors providing services under the scheme operate in rural areas. The underlying feature of the scheme is the use of spare capacity on these transport services.
I am always willing to consider applications from licensed private transport operators who wish to participate in the scheme. My Department pays transport providers to operate the scheme. However, it cannot provide transport services where none exist.
At present access to public transport in rural areas is being addressed through the rural transport initiative. Area Development Management operates it on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport. In 2003 my Department contributed €500,000 to the initiative and I have secured the same amount for 2004. Thereby ensuring that free travel pass holders will continue to have full access to community based transport services.
In recent budgets the free schemes were significantly improved, including the free travel scheme, in terms of the qualifying conditions and their coverage. I will continue to review them with a view to identifying scope for further improvements as resources permit.