Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
720. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection the qualifying criteria for people with epilepsy and other medical conditions who cannot drive but are not in receipt of a social welfare payment for free travel as per Budget 2024; whether such support will be means tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47599/23]
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.
As part of Budget 2024 I was particularly pleased to extend my Department’s Free Travel Pass to support people who are medically certified as unable to drive including those with Epilepsy.
The measure will expand access to the Free Travel scheme to:
• People who have never been able to drive due to a disability.
• Drivers who have a license and have been deemed medically unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer. In some cases these drivers will only need the Travel Pass until they are medically certified to drive again.
There will be no requirement to satisfy a means test or that the person be in receipt of a Social Welfare payment to qualify for the medical free travel pass.
My officials are currently working to implement the reforms, including the drafting of relevant qualifying criteria and development of administrative and IT systems as necessary.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
