Colm Burke
Question:778. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider a free travel card for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48621/23]
View answerTuesday, 7 November 2023
Questions (778)
Written answers
The entitlement of the person concerned to a Free Travel Pass was linked to their former entitlement to Disability Allowance, which ceased in October 2018. Under the Make Work Pay initiative, the person is entitled to retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of 5 years after taking up employment. The 5 year period has now ended and the person's entitlement to Free Travel has accordingly been stopped.
I am pleased to say that in Budget 2024, I secured a significant extension to the Free Travel scheme for people who are medically certified as unfit to drive for a period of at least 12 months. This scheme extension is effective from July 2024 and preparation work is ongoing within my Department.
There will be a publicity campaign in Quarter 2 of 2024 to launch this new extension to the Free Travel scheme and to advise when applications can be submitted. It will be open to the person concerned to apply for this extension to the Free Travel scheme at that stage.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.