Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
770. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department will ensure that claimants who are likely to lose the free transport benefit over the next eight months and before fulfilling eligibility from July 2024, are not deprived of this important and crucial benefit (details supplied). [48551/23]
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.
To qualify for a free travel pass when aged under 66 a person must satisfy the relevant qualifying criteria. When a person no longer satisfies the relevant qualifying criteria for a free travel pass their entitlement to the pass ends.
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. As announced, this measure will be implemented from July 2024. My officials are currently examining interim arrangements to apply to those who currently have a pass which is due to expire in the meantime.
Finally, the Department of Social Protection provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have an essential need, which they cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers and include help towards recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
A travel supplement may also be paid where a person has a recurring travel expense (for example, where a person has ongoing travel costs for hospital visits).
Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
