Michael Healy-Rae
Question:7. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the status of rural isolation schemes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8699/16]
View answerThursday, 28 April 2016
Questions (7)
Written answers
The Free Travel Scheme permits customers to travel for free on most CIE public transport services, LUAS and a range of services offered by up to 80 private operators in various parts of the country. Free travel is also available on cross border journeys to and from Northern Ireland. Additionally, customers aged 66 years and over can travel for free on journeys within Northern Ireland. There are currently approximately 848,000 customers with direct eligibility for Free Travel.
The Free Travel scheme is open to operators both in rural and urban areas who wish to apply to join it. Payments are calculated on the basis of estimated fares foregone, at a reduced rate to take account of travel generated by the free travel scheme. Operators are not reimbursed for individual journeys.
I have no plans to make any changes to the free travel scheme at this time. Any decision to extend the scheme to allow free travel pass holders to avail of local taxi services would have budgetary and operational consequences and would have to be considered in the context of budget negotiations.