Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
837. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will amend the criteria for the free travel scheme to allow all persons over 66 years of age get free travel for a companion, regardless of martial/civil partnership status, as the current scheme discriminates against single persons. [13473/23]
View answerThe Free Travel Scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.
There are three types of free travel pass available under the Free Travel Scheme. The first is the single type pass which allows only the owner of the Free Travel Pass to travel for free. A spousal type pass is available to free travel recipients who are married in a civil partnership or co-habiting. This pass allows a person’s spouse or partner to join them for free when travelling. Finally, there is a companion pass available for incapacitated people who are unfit to travel alone. This type of pass allows any one person, aged 16 or over, to accompany them free, when travelling.
The type of pass a person receives from my Department is based on their circumstances and is in no way discriminatory. A person with a single type pass who is unable to travel alone can, of course, apply for a companion type travel pass. The companion type travel pass allows single people who are unfit to travel alone to be accompanied by a companion who does not need to be related to them.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
