Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
746. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection in regard to the announced expansion of the free travel pass to support people medically certified as unable to drive, if only people in receipt of a primary medical certificate will qualify as medically certified as unable to drive. [48156/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 2023 is €95 million.
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 including those with Epilepsy.
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 unfit to drive for a period of one year or longer. In some cases these drivers will only need the Travel Pass until they are medically certified to drive again.
To qualify for a primary medical certificate an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled and satisfy at least one of six medical criteria as set out in primary legislation.
As the medical free travel pass will be open to people who may be either temporarily or permanently unable to drive, there will be no requirement that only those that are in receipt of a primary medical certificate will qualify for the 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.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
