Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2024
492. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the full-year cost of the free travel scheme, and the projected expenditure on the scheme out to 2030; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42616/24]
View answerThe 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 2024 is €103.5 million.
In 2023, the cost of the Free Travel Scheme was €92.577 million.
As part of Budget 2025, I announced that all those aged over 70 will be entitled to a Free Travel Companion pass from September 2025. An additional €7 million has been allocated to the scheme in 2025 to finance this measure. The estimate cost of the Free Travel scheme in 2025 is €110.5 million.
It is not possible to provide an accurate projection of the cost of the Free Travel Scheme beyond 2025, as the cost is determined by a number of factors including pass usage and overall fare costs. Both may be subject to change in the period outlined by the Deputy.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
