Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
930. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 72 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to allow those who were previously in receipt of disability allowance and have subsequently entered employment to retain their entitlement to a medical card and free travel pass, subject to certain limitations; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57319/23]
View answer935. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection in line with Action 72 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report (details supplied) if she has plans to allow those who were previously in receipt of disability allowance and have subsequently entered employment to retain their entitlement to a medical card and free travel pass, subject to certain limitations; and the estimated first and full year cost respectively of implementing this proposal. [57370/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 930 and 935 together.
The 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 2024 is €104 million.
Since 2017, people moving from certain long-term disability schemes such as Disability Allowance are able retain their Free Travel entitlement for a further period of 5 years, provided they previously had an entitlement to Free Travel.
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.
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 unable to drive for a period of one year or longer.
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. The expected implementation date for the measure is July 2024.
Any further expansion of the Free Travel scheme in excess of the measures announced in Budget 2024 would require additional funding for the free travel scheme and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.
Finally, as the Medical Card is under the remit of the Minister for Health any queries in relation to the retention of a Medical Card should be directed to that Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
