Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1018. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if carers from Northern Ireland are entitled to free travel on public transport in this State; if there are reciprocal arrangements for carers across the island to travel for free on all public transport; if not, the reason that is the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38122/23]
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.
It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit.
Therefore, the free travel pass is a secondary benefit directly linked to the person being in receipt of Carers Allowance. A free travel pass is not issued solely on the basis of a person being a carer.
A carer who resides in Northern Ireland will not qualify for a free travel pass from this State. Entitlement to a travel pass in Northern Ireland is dependent on the rules there.
The all-Ireland Free Travel Scheme for seniors resident in all parts of the island was introduced in April 2007. The scheme enables seniors (over 66) resident in the Republic to travel free of charge on all bus and rail services in Northern Ireland. Likewise, seniors (over 65) in the North can travel free of charge on bus, rail, air and ferry services participating in the Free Travel scheme in this State.
Any extension to the scheme would have to be agreed with the Northern Ireland authorities and would require additional funding to be put in place.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
