The free travel scheme operated by my Department is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over as well as certain incapacitated people in receipt of social welfare-type payments. The scheme provides free travel at off-peak periods for eligible people on the main public and private transport services. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by semi-State companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as services provided by some 42 private contractors. The vast majority of these private contractors operate in rural areas. It is, therefore, fair to say that, for all practical purposes, the free travel service is available throughout the country.