As the Deputy will be aware, the Free Travel Scheme is a non-statutory scheme under the administration of my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. As such funding levels associated with the Scheme are primarily a matter for that Minister.
However, I have publicly acknowledged the concerns expressed in recent times in relation to the current levels of funding associated with the Scheme and its potential impact on public transport operators, including Bus Éireann.
As I have previously informed the Deputy, I have written to my colleague the Minister for Social Protection in relation to these concerns and we have mandated our Departments to work together to review this matter.