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Free Travel Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 December 2020

Wednesday, 16 December 2020

Ceisteanna (208)

Claire Kerrane

Ceist:

208. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the free travel scheme to allow persons with a disability to travel by taxi given the lack of access to public transport, specifically wheelchair-accessible public transport in rural areas; the estimated cost of extending the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43638/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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 companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 981,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2020 is €95 million.

The objective of the free travel scheme is to ensure that older people and people with disabilities remain active within their community. The Free Travel Scheme was never intended as a targeted support for people with severe mobility issues. The Free Travel Scheme was also never intended to provide additional transport options to travel pass holders but to allow them access to existing services available from transport providers who participate in the scheme.

One of the key aspects of the free travel scheme is that the service provided is via open, publicly available services. Wheelchair accessible taxis are private hire vehicles and any decision to allow free travel pass holders to use their free travel passes on a category of private hire vehicles would lead to similar requests from other groups that provide private hire vehicles. It would lead to a fundamental change to the nature of the Free Travel Scheme and would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.

It is not possible to provide an estimate of the possible cost of extending the free travel scheme to allow persons with a disability to travel by taxi as the cost would be determined by such factors as the number of such journeys undertaken by each free travel pass holder, the length of each journey and also if the journey is undertaken with a companion/companions. However, it would be expected that the increased cost to the free travel scheme would be very significant and would also have to include increased administrative costs to deal with the fundamental adjustment in the administration of any such complex scheme.

My Department does provide an annual funding contribution of €1.5 million from the Free Travel budget provision towards the Transport for Ireland Local Links Programme, which is administered by the National Transport Authority under the auspices of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Programme provides services to people whose travel needs are not met by existing bus or train services. The Programme aims to enhance and sustain nationwide accessibility through community based participation, particularly for those at risk of social exclusion. Services provided include door to door services on certain routes.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) Scheme supports may be available to assist with necessary travel costs. The support can either be on a once-off basis as an exceptional needs payment or as a supplement where there is an ongoing need. There is no automatic entitlement to such payments. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned. At the end of 2019, 141 persons were in receipt of a Travel Supplement. In addition, over 17,200 exceptional needs payments were made in 2019 to assist with travel costs, at a cost of almost €1.2 million.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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