Imelda Munster
Question:117. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of doubling the allocation for 2017 for the free travel pass. [14617/17]
View answerThursday, 23 March 2017
Questions (117)
Written answers
The free travel 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 Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 874,000 customers with direct eligibility with an annual allocation of €80 million.
To double the allocation for free travel in 2017 would cost an additional €80 million per annum.
Any increase funding to the free travel pass scheme would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.