The free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. 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 80 private transport operators. The vast majority of these private contractors operate in rural areas. My Department is always willing to consider further applications from licensed private transport operators who may wish to participate in the free travel scheme. While my Department pays transport providers to operate the free travel scheme, it is not in a position to provide services where none exist.
In this regard, an interdepartmental committee on rural transport, chaired by the Department of Public Enterprise, is considering issues relating to the availability of transport services in rural areas. I understand the committee will report during this year. In addition, my colleague Deputy Mary O'Rourke, Minister for Public Enterprise, recently announced that 19 community groups have been selected to receive funding under the rural transport initiative. The aim of the funding is to encourage innovative community-based initiatives to provide transport services in rural areas with a view to addressing the issue of social exclusion in rural Ireland which is caused by lack of access to transport. Funding of €3.8 million has been provided for this purpose. My Department is in discussions with the Department of Public Enterprise on the role that the free travel scheme can play in supporting these pilot projects.