Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
376. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position for those covered by the free travel scheme when their free travel cards expire; if a grace period of three to four months can be allowed in order that they can get their free travel cards renewed given that many free travel cards may not have been renewed in a timely manner due to the Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13087/22]
View answerThe free travel scheme is available to all persons aged over 66 and those under the 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 a range of transport services offered by some 80 private operators countrywide.
The number of customers who were eligible to avail of free travel at the end of Feb 2022 was over 1 .02 million. When spousal and companion passes are taken into account, the number of free travel beneficiaries increases to over 1.6 million.
Due to the impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic, an interim arrangement is in place with the National Transport Authority which allows expired free travel cards of eligible free travel recipients to be accepted to continue to access their free travel entitlement. Notification of the continuing arrangement is available on the Department's website.
Holders of expired cards can renew their card on line at www.mywelfare.ie or contact their local Intreo Centre to get a new 10 year card, or ring the Department's Free Travel Section at 0818200400 to request a 3 year extended card.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
